Remember Soweto

For many years, on June 16/Soweto Day, protesters confronted the apartheid South African government at embassies and consulates around the world. The day commemorates the 15,000 school children of Soweto who marched peacefully to protest apartheid education in 1976. At least 60 students were killed, 200 wounded, and others jailed when the racist South African police force attacked them.

This year, Chicago protesters were invited by the South African Consulate for the 31st anniversary of Soweto. Chicago’s Consulate General Yusuf Omar was one of those students in Soweto. Now he’s inviting the protesters into the offices that we so regularly confronted. It’s good to remember and celebrate some victories.