The ANC and PAC became instant rivals in terms of support, especially in the townships. This rivalry came to a head when the PAC rushed ahead of ANC plans to hold mass protests against the pass laws 10 days before the ANC protests to be held on 31 March 1961. Mandela called this a blatant act of opportunism as the ANC had invited the PAC to join them in protesting against pass laws, yet the PAC chose to organise a separate protest themselves.