Primary Sources: Civil Rights in America - Events: Orangeburg Massacre (1968)

On February 8, 1968, a crowd of black students gathered on the campus of South Carolina State University to protest segregation at Orangeburg’s only bowling alley. Dozens of police arrived on the scene, and the students lit a bonfire on a street in front of the campus. Tensions escalated, and police officers opened fire into the crowd. When the shooting stopped, three students were dead and twenty-seven wounded. We speak with the only person convicted of wrongdoing in what became known as the Orangeburg Massacre, Cleveland Sellers.

Cecil J. Williams remembers his childhood in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and starting his career as a photographer for several African American publications in his teens. He remembers photographing President Kennedy, Thurgood Marshall, and other civil rights leaders. He also discusses the Briggs v. Elliot school desegregation case, and his photographs of the Orangeburg Massacre.

"Exterior shots of All Star Bowling Lane. Harry Floyd, bowling lane operator being interviewed. Says he will not change his method of operation. Says he will do what is necessary to prevent racial violence. "I have not caused anybody else trouble. I don't know why these people want to cause me trouble." On February 8, 1968, following several demonstrations over Harry Floyd's segregated bowling alley, the All Star Bowling Lane, the South Carolina State Highway Patrol fired on a group of protesters, killing three and injuring nearly 30 more. Whether this interview was filmed before or after the shooting (now known as the Orangeburg Massacre) is uncertain, but it was most likely filmed before the evening of February 8."

Approximately 150 protesters had demonstrated against racial segregation at the All-Star Bowling Alley on several occasions prior to the Orangeburg Massacre. On the evening of February 8, 1968, South Carolina State University (SCSU) students started a bonfire on the front of campus, which is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. As police and firefighters attempted to put out the fire, officer David Shealy was injured by a thrown object. South Carolina Highway Patrol officers fired shots at the protestors.

Three of the protestors, African American males, were killed and twenty-eight other protesters were injured. The three men killed included two SCSU students Samuel Hammond (18), Henry Smith (18), and Delano Middleton (17), a student at the local Wilkinson High School.

At a press conference the following day, Governor Robert E. McNair said the event was "...one of the saddest days in the history of South Carolina."

Civil rights photographer Cecil Williams recalls photographing the aftermath of the 1968 Orangeburg massacre when three unarmed black students were shot dead at South Carolina State University. The nine officers who opened fire that day were all acquitted.