1968: The Orangebug Massacre

On February 8, 1968, one of the most violent events in the United States occurred: “The Orangebug Massacre”.

Since February 5, 200 Afro-descendant students have gathered on the campus of the University of South Carolina to express their dissatisfaction with the racism they suffered at the All-Star Bowling Lanes, the only place where this sport was played at the time, and whose owner was Harry Floyd, a man who allowed only white players to his place.

On the 6th, local police arrested 15 students, tension increased as did peaceful protests through campus vigils. On the night of the 8th, security forces attacked the students who were there, leaving three dead and 28 injured.

The media did not cover what happened. Nine police officers responsible for the incident were released, while Cleveland Sellers, a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordination Committee, one of the organizers of the protest, was convicted of his responsibility in the riots and spent seven months behind bars. 

 The Orangebug massacre was the first to take place in American universities during those years.

Mazo News Team