From Pardon The Witches:
“On 28th of August 2008, the Swiss Parliament granted an official pardon to Anna Goeldi who in 1782 was the last person to be executed as a witch in Western Europe. It is time the British government followed this example and this Halloween offered a symbolic pardon to those people who were punished for witchcraft in Britain between the Sixteenth and Eighteenth Century.
Angels, the UK’s largest Halloween retailer, has consulted with historian and witchcraft expert John Callow to prepare eight historical test cases that aim to remove the suspicion and fear that continues to surround these innocent women (and one man). Please fill in the petition below to see your name added to the list that will be presented to Justice Minister Jack Straw MP on Halloween 2008 asking him to recommend the Queen issues a posthumous pardon.”
CNN covered the story:
Halloween pardon sought for executed British witches
“Campaigners in London planned to petition the British government Friday for a posthumous pardon for the hundreds of people executed for witchcraft between the 16th and 18th centuries.
They said Halloween is a good time to highlight the “grave miscarriage of justice” suffered by the men and women falsely accused of being witches.
Their petition asks Justice Minister Jack Straw to recommend that Queen Elizabeth II issue a pardon.”
Smithsonian Magazine had a recent article on the Salem witch trials.
A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials
“The Salem witch trials occurred in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. More than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft—the Devil’s magic—and 20 were executed. Eventually, the colony admitted the trials were a mistake and compensated the families of those convicted. Since then, the story of the trials has become synonymous with paranoia and injustice, and it continues to beguile the popular imagination more than 300 years later.”
Pardon The Witches has some short summaries of some witch trials that be read here.
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I had meant to publish this post yesterday. But ironically I was at a Samhain ritual and got back home later than expected.
I’m torn on the pardon. On one hand I don’t see what difference it makes. The people are still dead and the injustices still happened. But on the other hand lots of groups have been pardoned for various reasons. As a witch myself it would be nice to see my “Pagan ancestors” if you will get pardoned.
Posted by Vixen as News at 5:37 PM CDT