Sharpeville:
1960, Sharpeville, South Africa
Peaceful protesters against the apartheid system where black South africans were
forced to carry passbooks limiting their freedom and their future. Protesters chose to
go to police stations without their passbooks offering to be arrested. 5000-7000
protesters went to the Sharpeville police station to peacefully speak up like many
others, but were met with armed authorities who shot them while they were trying to
flee.
Around 70 people died, including 200 injured. This event acted as a turning point
for the South African apartheid system where the massacre gained global outrage and
changed the world's view of the South African system. Many countries and the UN
condemned the country after this event, but the apartheid didn’t stop there, it
became more brutal leading many activists to turn to armed resistance.
Charlottesville
2017, Charlottesville, USA
Started by far-right protesters speaking out against the removal of a statue of a former
far-right leader Robert Lee which many view as a symbol for racism and slavery. This
protest united the multiple right movements such as the Ku-klux klan and the
neo-nazis and was called the unite the right rally. Consequently this led to
anti-protests which were met with violence when the white supremacist Alex Fields
drove his car into the counter-protesters killing Heather Hayer and injuring 20
others.
This created many issues as it sparked national debates about the growing racism and
extremism. One thing that created big arguments was Trump's reaction to the event,
as he said that there was violence on both sides.
Bloody sunday (Selma)
1965, Selma, Alabama, USA
As many african americans were denied the right to vote through racist laws and
violence, people chose to speak up and peacefully protest. About 600 people planned
on marching 54 miles from Selma to Mongomery as a symbol of resistance. Though
on their way, they were met with armed forces who brutally attacked them with
teargas and whips. This event was what is called the bloody sunday. Many were
injured and the attack was recorded on TV causing national outrage. Two other
marches were planned after this, one by Martin Luther King, being a big step
towards the signing of the voting rights act. The bloody sunday and selma march
remains the biggest inspiring symbol of the black resistance against discriminatory
voting practices.
Bloody sunday (Northern Ireland)
Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland was a tragic event on January 30, 1972, when
British soldiers shot and killed 14 unarmed civilians during a peaceful protest in
Derry. The march, organized by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association, was
against the policy of internment without trial, which allowed the imprisonment of
suspected Irish nationalists without evidence. At the time, Northern Ireland was in
the midst of The Troubles, a violent conflict between Catholic nationalists seeking
Irish unification and Protestant unionists wanting to remain in the UK. The British
Army, originally sent to keep peace, was increasingly viewed by Catholics as
oppressive.
The massacre became a symbol of injustice and fueled widespread anger, leading to
greater support for the IRA and an escalation of violence. Decades later, after a long
campaign by the victims’ families, the UK government officially admitted the killings
were wrong, and in 2010 Prime Minister David Cameron issued a formal apology.
Black Lives Matter
● Started in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of
Trayvon Martin.
● Grew into a global movement protesting police violence and systemic racism,
especially against Black people.
● Gained massive attention after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 by a
police officer in Minneapolis.
● Led to worldwide protests calling for justice, police reform, and racial equality.
● Mostly peaceful, though some protests saw clashes and were met with heavy
police responses.
Ådalen
● Happened on May 14, 1931, in Ådalen, Sweden.
● A peaceful workers' demonstration against wage cuts and use of
strikebreakers.
● The Swedish military opened fire on the unarmed crowd.
● Five people were killed, including a 20-year-old girl and four male workers.
● Shocked the nation and led to strong public outcry.
● Became a turning point in Swedish politics, increasing support for workers'
rights and social reforms.
Demonstration Date & Main Protesters Opps Violence / Historical
Location Cause Outcome Significance
Sharpeville 1960 – Protest Black South South Police Sparked international
Massacre Sharpeville, South against Africans African opened fire: condemnation of
Africa apartheid (PAC) police 69 killed apartheid; shift to
pass laws armed resistance
Charlottesville August 11–12, Protest over Far-right, Counter Car attack Highlighted rise of
Rally 2017 – Virginia, Confederat white -proteste killed 1, white supremacy;
USA e statue nationalists rs, police violence national debate over
removal erupted racism
Selma to March 1965 – Fight for Civil rights Alabama Brutal Led to Voting Rights
Montgomery Selma, Alabama, African activists police, beatings on Act of 1965
(incl. Bloody USA American (e.g., MLK, state Edmund
Sunday) voting John Lewis) troopers Pettus
rights Bridge
Black Lives 2013–present Police Worldwide Police, in Some Massive global
Matter (esp. 2020, USA brutality, protesters, some violent movement; raised
& globally) systemic mostly cases clashes, awareness of systemic
racism peaceful federal especially in racism
forces 2020
Ådalen May 14, 1931 – Labor strike Swedish Swedish Soldiers shot Turning point in
Shootings Ådalen, Sweden against use workers & military demonstrato Swedish labor politics;
of sympathizer rs: 5 killed led to peaceful reforms
strikebreake s
rs
Bloody Sunday January 30, 1972 Civil rights Irish British 14 unarmed Fueled The Troubles;
(Northern – Derry, N. protest nationalists Army protesters worsened conflict; later
Ireland) Ireland against & civilians (Parachu killed found unjustified
internment te
without Regimen
trial t)
