Updated August 18, 2024 at 11:50 a.m.
Steve Biko, a leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, is arrested on this day in 1977 in South Africa.
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Why was Steve Biko arrested?
Steve Biko was arrested at a police roadblock under the Terrorism Act, for breaching a banning order. As an anti-apartheid activist and the co-founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, he was banned by the apartheid government and his movements were restricted to his hometown King William’s Town.
What happened to Steve Biko after his arrest?
After his arrest, Steve Biko was taken to the Walmer police station in Port Elizabeth, where he was held in custody. He was severely beaten and tortured while in police custody, which led to his death on September 12, 1977.
How did Steve Biko's death impact South Africa?
Steve Biko's death had a profound impact on South Africa and the anti-apartheid movement. It sparked outrage and further mobilized opposition to the apartheid regime both within South Africa and internationally. His martyrdom became a rallying point in the fight against racial injustice.