The battle of Athens
This story comes under the category of “I did not know that!” Shortly after the end of WWII, veterans returning home to Athens Tennessee from the war were appalled with the corruption in their local government. When the local officials realized that there was a growing opposition to their reign of corruption, they tried to seize the ballot boxes from the local election. The veterans took over and righted the situation. Below is a video depicting the events of that day.
Now I know why the government, both local and national, is so motivated to disarm the public. A armed public makes is much harder for true Tierney to exist.
For addition reading you can visit Constitution.org or search “Battle of Athens Tennessee”
Funny, I saw something about that too recently and blogged it. I also noticed afterwards that several other municipalities in Tenn. and Ark. followed suit shortly after that battle and kicked/voted out their corrupt political machines. So it was contagious.
One thing the movie doesn’t seem to touch on is the backstory that Sheriff Mansfield’s political machine had been jacking people’s property taxes up selectively and then distributing the properties to his cronies once they were foreclosed on for the taxes. Also there was friction over it being a dry county – the GI’s who had moved in wanted to be able to drink. Enforcement of that law was also selective against the GI’s.
Once someone stands up to injustice in a way that captures the public’s imagination, it can gain momentum. Especially when they’re right.