ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Thursday marked the the anniversary of what’s known as the Orangeburg Massacre, one of the most violent moments in the civil rights movement.
Five decades after the Orangeburg Massacre, members of the community continue to gather on the date to honor and remember Henry Smith, Samuel Hammond and Delano Middleton, who were killed near SC State’s campus in 1968.
The three were part of a series of protests against a segregated bowling alley in Orangeburg. After sit-ins and arrests, the protests came to a head on February 8 when law enforcement and protestors clashed and law enforcement opened fired on the crowd.
Minnie Haynes was the original organizer for the first Orangeburg Massacre commemoration in 1969 and says its important to keep the tradition going.
“I think it's important for each of us to dedicate ourselves to carrying on with the works that is to be done for our own and others' freedom," said Haynes. “I really have not celebrated the fact that I was an integral part of starting it. I just felt that was the thing to do, and it pleases me that someone was carrying it on. But I am absolutely honored and out of breathe to be honored for having anything to do with it.”
Delano Whitfield is Mr. SC State and says more people need to know about what happened.
“The Orangeburg Massacre is an event that needs to be etched in stone in history beyond South Carolina State,” said Whitfield.
Alonzo Middleton is the nephew of Delano Middleton. He says this event gives his family the opportunity to remember the life of their late loved one.
“I think a lot of times we have these opportunities for gathering because we really need to take this same information and repeat it over and over again because it could happen tomorrow,” said Middleton. “It’s an opportunity for us to get together and heal and restore the memories of our loved ones.
South Carolina State University also gave out their social justice awards during the ceremony, one of which went to Minnie Haynes.