February 6, 1971
Three hundred residents of Pharr, Texas started a protest march against segregation, a large economic gap, inferior access to education, and police brutality. By the time the march made its way to the police station, it had grown to roughly 3,000 people. Though the protest was peaceful, police and firefighters sprayed high-pressure firehoses on marchers and used tear gas against them. In response, residents began throwing bottles and bricks. Police opened fire, and Alfonso Laredo Flores, 22, a bystander, was killed. Several protesters were tried in court and sentenced to five years in jail; the deputy sheriff, who killed Flores, faced no charges.
