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In this political melodrama, a large but peaceful demonstration by black Africans against a white mayor turns violent when the frightened major opens fire on one of the protestors, sparking a panic in which several more die. The remainder of the movie explores the many ways the government uses the demonstration as a means to suppress any dissent, manipulating participants into informing on one another and arranging for other protestors to be shot by soldiers. Eventually, the reform movement's leaders tire of being persecuted by the overbearing white government and cease to be non-violent.