Qasim Rashid, Esq.Dec 3, 2022

On Dec 2, 1859, Abolitionist John Brown was the first American ever executed for treason. The second ever executed for treason was Aaron Dwight Stevens (March 15, 1831 – March 16, 1860).

Their crimes? Attempting to free the enslaved. The first Americans executed for treason was for the crime of freeing the enslaved.

Legality is not always a measure of justice & morality, but a measure of power. This was only two life spans ago.

May we learn from these atrocities & uphold justice forever.

Show threadJessica CravenDec 3, 2022
@QasimRashid I thought treason had to involve a declared war with a foreign power? How did they get them both under treason laws?
Show threadQasim Rashid, Esq.Dec 3, 2022
@jesscraven101 Their raid on Harper’s Ferry to free the enslaved was viewed waging war against the United States.
Show threadJeff RotenbergerDec 3, 2022

@QasimRashid @jesscraven101 he raided a US arsenal in Harper's Ferry hoping to invite a slave revolt. Sixteen people were killed, 10 of John Brown's men.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/john-browns-raid.htm

John Brown's Raid (U.S. National Park Service)

Show threadJessica CravenDec 3, 2022
@Ngeekify @QasimRashid yes I did know the basic history. Just didn’t know the treason part.
Show threadJeff RotenbergerDec 3, 2022
@jesscraven101 @QasimRashid t
He was charged with treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia, not the United States. Was also charged with murder and attempting to incite a slave revolt.
Show threadMunicipal Adhesives
@Ngeekify @jesscraven101 @QasimRashid we would have charged him with stealing our hearts 🥺
Dec 4, 2022 at 4:18amWeb