 They also sent a delegation of mayors of the Paris "arrondissements", led by Clemenceau, to negotiate with Thiers in Versailles to obtain a special independent status for Paris.On 22 March 1871, demonstrators holding banners declaring them to be "Friends of Peace" were blocked from entering the Place Vendôme by guardsmen who, after being fired on, opened fire on the crowd.At least 12 people were killed and many wounded.