On March 21, 1960 in Sharpeville, Transvaal 5,000-7,000 Afrikaners showed up at a police station and refused to carry their pass books. 300 policemen participated in the mass killing of the black South Africans. In addition to firing bullets at the protesters the police also released tear gas. This event was referred to as the turning point in South African history. This considered a strong act of defiance and the South African was ordered to get "rid" of the protesters.