In June, a collective of students in Soweto, a township near Johannesburg, united to protest against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools. This was a deeply unpopular policy, especially among Black South Africans who felt it marginalized their languages and culture. On June 16, 1976, the students planned a peaceful march to voice their grievances. They gathered approximately 15,000 strong, creating a wave of youthful defiance against the apartheid regime. However, as the demonstration began, it quickly escalated when the police intervened. The authorities attempted to disperse the crowd, and in a shocking turn of events, opened fire on the demonstrators.The initial shooting resulted in chaos and fear, leading to widespread rioting across Soweto and beyond, with students clashing with police and other authorities. The violence lasted for days, emblematic of the growing frustration and anger toward the oppressive apartheid system. Reports of the brutal police crackdown and horrific images of the wounded circulated globally, raising awareness of South Africa's apartheid policies. Organizations and activists worldwide began to mobilize, leading to intensified pressure against the South African government and support for the anti-apartheid movement.