Governor Mark Sanford caught some people by surprise Saturday when he apologized for what's known as the Orangeburg Massacre.

Sanford did not attend the memorial on Saturday, but did issue a statement.

State troopers shot 3 civil rights protestors 35 years ago, as they were on their way back from a bowling alley that did not allow african americans. Twenty seven other people were injured.

The state president of the NAACP, James Gallman, says the apology was long overdue.