Historycivil Rights News

Clearing the Names: Seeking Justice for Massachusetts' Accused Witches

A group called the Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project is seeking to clear the names of nearly 200 individuals who were accused, imprisoned, or indicted during the witch trials in Massachusetts in the 17th century. While previous efforts have focused on those executed in Salem, this group aims to bring recognition and apologies to all victims of the witch hunt hysteria. The project's leader, Joshua Hutchinson, argues that the lessons of the witch trials are still relevant today, as scapegoating and witch-hunt-like behaviors continue to occur in moments of fear. The group also highlights that witch hunts remain an active concern in other parts of the world.