Ferguson Reminds Me of Eight British Soldiers

Most will readily admit that the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri are deeply saddening and tragic on many levels.  Regardless of your perspective, there is certainly a great need for healing, reconciliation, and dialogue within that community and across the country.  However, the popular outrage at Darren Wilson’s acquittal is, on some levels, eerily similar to the fallout from a case in 1770—the trial of eight British soldiers following the Boston Massacre.

The soldiers were the epitome of unpopular; they were foreign, they had undeniably killed civilians, and the public cried for blood.  And yet against such popular demands, John Adams—soon to be our second president—defended the soldiers and won their acquittal.  The due process of law and the right to a fair trial were respected, despite how anyone may have felt to the contrary.

Ironically, I used this analogy a year ago, in the case of George Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin.  In many ways, it still holds true today.  Whether the Boston Massacre, Trayvon Martin, or Michael Brown, such tragedies may well uncover rifts in our communities and expose injustices.  Those latent issues must be brought to light and dealt with accordingly, yes.  Yet the basic principles of our justice system—instituted to prevent abuse and preserve innocence, even when unpopular—must be preserved and honored in the process.

“When innocence itself is brought to the bar and condemned … the [defendant] will exclaim, “it is immaterial to me whether I behave well or ill, for virtue itself is no security.” And if such a sentiment as this should take place in the mind of the subject, there would be an end to all security whatsoever.” – John Adams