March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This day was chosen in remembrance of the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa – a turning point in the global fight against apartheid.
On March 21 1960, a group called the Pan African Congress (PAC) organized a peaceful protest in the Black township of Sharpeville against the oppressive pass laws enforced by the South Africa’s apartheid government. These laws required Black South Africans to carry their identification papers at all times, restricting their freedom of movement. The protestors planned to march to the local police station, without their passes, and they were prepared to be arrested as an act of peaceful civil disobedience.
As the protestors danced and sang and chanted, the tensions quickly escalated when police and armoured vehicles began to appear. Military jets were spotted flying overhead and without warning, police opened fire on the unarmed crowd.
In total, 69 people were killed and over 180 were injured, many shot in the back while trying to flee the gunfire. Some injured protestors were arrested in hospital while others were detained after they had recovered.
In the aftermath of the massacre, outrage spread across South Africa and the international community, leading to a widespread condemnation of the apartheid regime.
Six years later, as a direct result of the events of Sharpeville, the United Nations declared March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This day is a powerful reminder of the dangers of systemic racism and the importance of standing up for justice.
To explore anti-racist resources that focus on Canada, you can visit the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s page of resources, or the Canadian Government’s list of anti-racism materials.
The JLP is proud to be taking part in the conversation around addressing and preventing racial discrimination in the federal public service though its workshops and guided discussions.
Photo by Aaron Cass on Unsplash.com