warispeace:

Today in History: On September 12, 1977, anti-apartheid activist, Steve Biko, died while in police custody in South Africa. Biko had been a leader in the black consciousness movement in South Africa, particularly aimed at organizing young students in the fight against apartheid. His writings and actions would eventually get Biko banned in most of the nation. His actions continued despite the ban, and many grassroots organizations sprang up because of his actions. He would play a prominent role in organizing youth to rise up in the Soweto uprisings. After his role in these uprisings, Biko became a prominent target for the apartheid regime. He would be arrested in August 1977, and undergo a 22 hour interrogation and torture session that would eventually cause Biko to slip into a coma. On September 11, Biko was thrown naked and chained into the back of a Land Rover, as he was going to be transported from Port Elizabeth to Pretoria where he would receive medical treatment. He died shortly after reaching Pretoria on the 12th. Police claimed he had gone on a hunger strike, but autopsy reports would show death being caused by brutal beatings by the police.