in 1955, the congress of the people officially adopted the freedom charter, stating the core principles of the south african congress alliance, which consisted of the african national congress and its allies the south african indian congress, the south african congress of democrats and the coloured people's congress. the government claimed that this was a communist document, and consequently leaders of the anc and congress were arrested. 1960 saw the sharpeville massacre, in which 69 people were killed when police opened fire on anti-apartheid protesters.