While Mandela and his friends were in prison awaiting trial, they decided it was time to move things underground. Mandela realized there was no time for celebration upon his release; the ANC had to act swiftly and change tactics. The ANC’s internal debate on violence had been ongoing, and in a secret meeting in 1961, Mandela argued that the state left them no choice. The ANC leadership maintained an official policy of non-violence, but Mandela was allowed to create a militant organization within it called Umkhonto we Siswe, or the MK. The MK initially used sabotage, and Mandela, despite never firing a gun before, studied guerrilla warfare and practiced shooting at Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia. The MK detonated homemade bombs in December 1960, surprising the government and prompting increased efforts from both sides.