Ghorman Massacre/Legends
- "Rebellion is the only option, Senator. It's been leading to that ever since the Ghorman Massacre."
- ―Mon Mothma, to Bail Organa
The Ghorman Massacre was an incident committed by Captain Wilhuff Tarkin, c. 18 BBY.
Background
After the Declaration of a New Order, the galaxy was ruled with absolute power by Emperor Palpatine. Many people of the new Empire enthusiastically supported the vision outlined in the Declaration of a New Order, largely due to the violence that had plagued the galaxy for so long. Many senators wholeheartedly supported the new government.
But the Empire's policy became increasingly despotic in nature. Non-Humans and women were excluded from much of this New Order, and atrocities committed by powerful regional governors became common. Peaceful demonstrations were organized against the Empire's policies throughout the galaxy.
The Massacre
A group of activists were protesting Imperial taxation on the planet Ghorman in the Sern sector. Captain Wilhuff Tarkin's warship was blocked by peaceful protesters who stood on the ship's landing pad and refused to move. With implied permission from Palpatine, Tarkin landed the ship right on the protesters. An overwhelming majority were killed instantly, while hundreds were severely injured, many of them later dying from the resulting injuries. Only a lucky few escaped the ordeal with their lives intact, but almost all sustained horrific psychological damage.
Aftermath
The members of the former Delegation of 2000 were prompted by the tragedy to begin plotting open rebellion against the Empire, culminating in the formation of the Alliance to Restore the Republic seventeen years later. For the Empire's opponents, no incident better encapsulated Imperial cruelty until the Destruction of Alderaan.
The massacre was commemorated every year on its anniversary by citizens throughout the galaxy.
The Alliance later named a Corellian gunship, the Ghorman's Honor, after the massacre's victims. Among the battles the Ghorman's Honor participated in was the Battle of Endor, which led to the downfall of the Empire.
Appearances
- "The Princess Leia Diaries" — Star Wars Tales 11 (Mentioned only)
- The Hutt Gambit (Mentioned only)
- Rebel Dawn (Mentioned only)
- The Farlander Papers (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Rebellion (Mentioned only)
- File:Gal-icon.jpg Dirty Deeds on the official Star Wars Galaxies website (content now obsolete; backup link) (Mentioned only)
"Do No Harm" – Star Wars Adventure Journal 10 (Mentioned only)- Jedi Search (Mentioned only)
- Dark Apprentice (Mentioned only)
- Millennium Falcon (Mentioned only)
- Millennium Falcon audiobook (Mentioned only)
Sources
- The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook (First mentioned)
- The Rebel Alliance Sourcebook, Second Edition
- Star Wars Technical Journal of the Rebel Forces
- The Essential Guide to Characters
- The Truce at Bakura Sourcebook
- Star Wars: Rebellion: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
- The Essential Chronology
- The New Essential Guide to Characters
- Hero's Guide
- The Official Star Wars Fact File 127 (REB1-2, History of the Rebellion)
- The New Essential Chronology
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- The Essential Atlas
Tarkin, Grand Moff in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)- Organa, Bail in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Rebel Alliance in the Databank (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Star Wars: Edge of the Empire Core Rulebook
Slugthrowers: An Overview of Popular Music and Musicians in a Galaxy Far, Far Away, Part 2 on StarWars.com (article) (backup link not verified!)- Star Wars: Age of Rebellion Core Rulebook