The Waco Siege was a law enforcement siege on the Mount Carmel Center, which was used by the Branch Davidians. The Branch Davidians were a cult that was founded in 1955 by Benjamin Roden, although during the siege the leader was David Koresh. The ATF suspected the cult was manufacturing and stockpiling illegal weapons, they obtained a search warrant and several arrest warrants for Koresh and a few other members of the cult. When the ATF attempted to execute these warrants on February 28, 1993, a gunfight erupted 4 ATF agents and 6 Davidians were killed. This results in a 51-day siege on the compound, including law enforcement from the ATF, FBI, US armed forces, Texas Ranger Division, and the Texas and Alabama National Guard.
Over the 51-day period, 25 FBI negotiators managed to get Koresh to leave peacefully if they broadcasted his message on national radio, Koresh then said God told him to not leave and wait. Later the negotiators managed to get 19 kids released from the compound, these kids were interviewed and said they had been physically and sexually abused before the standoff. The FBI also voiced concerns about the cult committing a mass suicide.
The final day, April 19, 1993, the FBI started their assault on the compound they sent two tanks with rams and delivery devices loaded with tear. Officially no armed assault was made, but some Davidians did fire guns, the FBI had been permitted to return but only increased the amount of tear gas. Later that day after the FBI has used grenade launchers to send in more tear gas, three fires broke out in different part of the building. The FBI says the Davidians started it, while some survivors of the fire claim that the FBI accidentally or deliberately started the fires. The fire and siege resulted in the death 76 Davidians, including 25 children, two pregnant women, and Koresh.
The Waco Siege is typically seen as a catalyst for Oklahoma City Bombing and the Militia Movement. The Department of Justice reports from 1993 and 2000 says the Davidians set the fires.
I believe that this siege was justified but the FBI should have handled it much differently, they should not have been so inpatient.
Do you think the Waco Siege was Justified?
Is there another way the FBI should have handled this situation?
Replies
Good topic choice and well written summary jason! I do think you could have expanded on your thoughts a bit more. Also, be sure to bump your topic so more people see yout story.