Nearly 400 years ago during colonial times, the US state of Connecticut acquitted 12 people convicted of witchcraft, announcing a group that successfully campaigned to clear their names.
The CT Witch Trial Exoneration Project association — which includes descendants of some of those executed — said it was “overwhelmed, delighted and grateful” by the decision by Connecticut state senators, who supported the measure by a 33-vote vote.
Eleven defendants – nine women and two men – were hanged after trials that took place in that state in the mid-17th century. The other was pardoned.
New England state lawmakers on Thursday approved a resolution proclaiming the innocence of these people and denouncing the sentences passed against the nine women and the two men, which they deemed an “error of justice.”
The senators also pointed out that the decision coincided with the eve of the 376th anniversary of the first hanging of witches in New England, that of Alice Young. “We are grateful to descendants, supporters, historians, legislators from both parties and many others who made this official resolution possible,” the association said.
Hundreds of people, mostly women, were accused of witchcraft in New England in the 17th century, particularly in Salem, Massachusetts, at a time when that area was gripped by fear, paranoia, and superstition. Dozens of them were executed.
The Connecticut witch trials took place between 1647 and 1663 and ended about 30 years before the famous Salem witch trials. According to CT law, 34 people have been accused of witchcraft in Connecticut.
The group added that it “will continue to advocate for the education of history and the commemoration of victims of witchcraft trials.”
Source: DN
