This documentary covers the events of February 28-April 19, 1993 at Waco, Texas that resulted in a total of eighty-six deaths. Called the Waco Siege or Waco Massacre, it is an amazing illustration of the principle that every command and regulation of the state is backed up by deadly force.
In this case, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms initiated the raid due to suspicion that the people there were guilty of violating firearm regulations, (they ran a business buying and selling firearms). Ultimately, eighty-two people were killed including more than 20 children and two pregnant women, as a consequence of what was initially the enforcement of a business regulation. These people were not convicted of any crimes, but merely suspected of violating a government regulation. They were not accused of killing anyone or stealing from anyone. They had even expressed willingness to have the ATF inspect their inventory.
There is so much to be said about the horrifying events documented here. I would only add that here we see a dramatic example of the militarization of domestic law enforcement… A trend that has only become more intense since 1993.
No rating, but be warned that there are some graphic, horrifying images.
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