2023-05-31 01:12:46
The state of Connecticutin States United States, has taken a historic step by exonerating 12 women who were convicted of witchcraft almost four centuries ago. These infamous lawsuits have been recognized as judicial errors by legislators, who seek to correct an injustice that has endured throughout history.
Among the women exonerated is Alice “Alse” Young, a young woman with a passion for botany who was accused of spreading disease among children by witchcraft practices. Alice, just 32 years old, was executed by hanging on May 26, 1647.
Many of those convicted were poor single mothers who became targets of baseless accusations of witchcraft.
Susan Bailey, a descendant of Alice Young, has received an apology from Connecticut lawmakers. Bailey says that no matter how much time has passed, the important thing is that someone’s life was unjustly taken.
Although these apologies cannot change what happened, he hopes that those relatives who know of the terrible death of their ancestors find some peace. This gesture of recognition will contribute to the healing process.
The measure to exonerate these women accused of witchcraft passed the Connecticut Senate, with only one legislator, Rob Sampson, voting against it.. Sampson argued that it is not correct to make judgments about past periods of which we are not fully aware. However, most legislators recognized the importance of rectify this historic mistake and bring justice to the victims and their descendants.
The legacy of the persecution of witchcraft in the United States
For centuries, witchcraft has been pointed out as the cause of illnesses, deaths and even catastrophes, both in Latin America and Europe under the Holy Inquisition of the Catholic Church, as in the United States with Protestantism.
Those who questioned religious dogmas or made scientific advances were also persecuted. In many cases, people accused of practicing witchcraft were tortured or sentenced to death.
It is estimated that around 50.000 personas they were murdered around the world after being convicted of witchcraft or related alleged crimes.
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