On February 28, 1993, some 80 agents from the U.S. ATF raided a religious compound at Mount Carmel, near Waco, Texas, after receiving reports that the Branch Davidians and their leader, David Koresh, were violating federal firearms regulations. However, the ATF agents couldn't handle the situation and so the FBI was called in to take over control. There were about 900 agents who were sent to surround the compound, eventually, the media started to arrive on the scene in huge numbers. Even civilians started to show up to the scene, the standoff ended up lasting about 51 days. David Koresh was the leader of the cult, the believed that he was the son of god. He had many men and women inside of his compound, he also believed that all women were his wives and all the men should remain seldom during their time on the compound. The agents eventually moved in on the compound and ended with the compound lighting on fire killing about 25 children and 50 adults in the compound including David Koresh.
This is one of the many incidents that was tuned in by americans all across the country via television programming. They watched the initial shootout between the two parties evolve into a 51-day standoff, and the botched negotiations that ended with images of citizens willing to arm themselves and fight to the death against a tyrannical government.
ReplyDeleteThis incident lead to many people having fear of the police and the government. Some people started training to defend themselves and kept fire arms within their homes. There were also shootings that followed this for people who saw this gained a strong connection to them.
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