 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/03290252_oburgmassacre.jpg) (Columbia-AP) -- Governor Mark Sanford has
formally apologized for state troopers gunning down three
civil rights protesters in Orangeburg 35 years
ago.
Sanford did not attend today's memorial for what
has become known as the Orangeburg Massacre.
But
afterward, he issued a statement apologizing for the trooper's
actions.
At a memorial two years ago, former Governor
Jim Hodges said the people of the state deeply regret the
incident, but a spokesman said at the time it was not a formal
apology.
Sanford's apology caught civil rights leaders
by surprise, including state NAACP president James Gallman.
Gallman says the apology was long overdue.
The
incident started February Eighth, 1968, when protesters
marched back to South Carolina State University's campus from
an Orangeburg bowling alley where blacks were banned.
A
platoon of white highway patrolmen opened fire and killed
three students.
Twenty-seven others from South
Carolina State,
neighboring Claflin University and an area
high school were injured.
The troopers say the
protesters were armed, but the students say they were staging
a peaceful protest. |
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/2002header_new.jpg)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/holidaykamper.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/printbutton.gif){kind=small}
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/ynh.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/button.jpg)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/hsh.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/roadrunner.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/palmettohealth.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/scedlottery.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/w_of_power.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/tac-banner.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/cb_choosy_120.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/weatherline.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/mrc_button.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/valenbutton.gif)
 Sanford apologizes for Orangeburg massacre_files/red_line_345.gif){kind=small}