Waco

A detailed Summary of Waco

Between the days of February 28, 1993 and April 19th, 1993, approximately 80 men, women, and children living peacefully in their home near Waco, Texas, were killed by the combined efforts of the US Defense Department and other government paramilitary units: the US Treasury Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). They were killed because the government claimed they were a dangerous cult. At first the ATF claimed to be only serving warrants on a weapons violation, to serve these warrants the ATF rushed into the compound and fired upon a group of men, in reaction these men fired back. This caused a week stand off until Janet Reno ordered further action. The second attack was a military raid, which included the use of fully armed helicopters. The first shots were fired on the women and children's quarters of the Mt. Carmel Center. The building was then gassed, because the government claimed to believe the living conditions were unsanitary and dangerous to the Branch Dividians. One of the gas canisters used was deemed flammable before the incident, and was not supposed to be used in residential areas. Even Janet Reno ordered a non-pyrotechnic canister to be use

It can be argued that the involved parties acted as they did because they thought there was a real threat. The only problem with that argument is that, when brought up as a defense in court it was deemed to not have enough support. Even if this idea was supported, why did not the ATF, first send an investigator to the Mt. Carmel Center to really justify their beliefs? Why did not the ATF try to establish a communication before sending a raid? Also in the ATF defense they did try to wait the Branch Dividians out, but is that really enough? It all boils down to the to the fact that the government wanted to end the problem fast with out attracting the attention of the public. Unfortunately for the government, the occupants chose to stand up for their right to believe in what ever religion they wished, with out being labeled a cult. This stand attracted the media and helped to hurry the government's actions even more. That is when they launched the military raid and "inadvertently" burned down the complex. At first nothing was said, but as the public began to question the reasoning the government immediately ran a cover up trial, in which agents lied on the stand. This false testimony was later shown as footage of the massacre was released, but no real appeals took place.

d, but her orders were ignored. As the canister began to release gas it is believed, according to the 1995 investigation, to have then sparked and began the fire, which would eventually, burn the building down and kill its' occupants. When the fire began the military sent tanks in to supposedly create e

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Approximate Word count = 1078
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History