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History to remember- George Stinney’s execution at 14.

Hamdhan Shakeel

Published

3 years ago

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The U.S. Congress has unanimously voted to pass a bill making the 19th of June a federal Holiday. The Holiday will commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S. While Slavery was abolished in 1865, systemic racism and segregation laws kept the African-Americans subjected to abuse for decades. This is the story of one such incident.

On 23rd March 1944 the bodies of Betty June Binnicker (11yrs) and Mary Emma Thames (7yrs) was found in Alcolu, South Carolina. The girls had been missing after not returning the night before. Alcolu was a highly segregated town where the whites and the African-Americans lived a different life segregated by railroad tracks. The discovery of two dead white girls in the African-American part of the town sent shockwaves into the whole town.

According to the medical examiner, both girls had been killed with a blunt weapon the size of a hammer. He also noted that no sexual assault was noted on the bodies of the children.

He girls was last seen driving by the house of George Stinney Sr, a local saw mill worker. It was reported that the two girls stopped by the property and asked George Stinney and his sister Aimé where they could find passionflowers.

Authorities promptly arrested George Stinney Jr and his older brother John, who was later released. 14 year old George Stinney was officially accused of murdering the two children.

What followed was 81 days of confinement and trial. George Stinney was not allowed to meet a legal counsel or even his parents throughout this period. The now infamous trial was short as it only took a single day to convict the young boy.

Though the court appointed him a legal counsel,  Charles Plowden, he did not challenge any of the differing testimonies by the three police officer nor the two version of the attack presented by the prosecution. In one version of that attack, George Stinney tried to help one of the girls who fell in to a ditch, but was attacked by the girls and had acted in self-defense . In another version, he preemptively attacked and killed Mary Emma Thames before killing Betty June Binnicker.

Stinney’s counsel presented no witnesses and offered no defense throughout the two and a half hour long trial. The all-white jury took just ten minutes to find George Stinney guilty before Judge Philip H. Stoll sentenced the boy to execution by electrocution.

Through all of this, George Stinney had maintained that he was forced to confess after the arresting officers starved him and forced him to state a confession in exchange for food. Furthermore, there was no proof against George Stinney, not even a written confession. But on 16th June 1944, 14 year old George Stinney was strapped to a chair with his mouth covered and was electrocuted to death. It was photographed that while the electrocution was applied, tears were rolling down the face of the boy.

However, on 17th December 2014, 70 years after his execution, a U.S. court found that George Stinney had not received a fair trial, and that his confession was likely coerced according to newly found evidence. The case against George Stinney was vacated, exonerating the boy of the charges, 70 years too late.

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Freedom of journalism must be practiced within the responsibilities

FI

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1 day ago

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04/05/2024

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Minister at the President’s Office for Strategic Communications Ibrahim Khaleel has underscored the importance of exercising the freedom of press within the responsibilities. He made the remarks while speaking at a programme aired on PSM News.

Commemorating the 7th anniversary of PSM News, Minister Khaleel was invited to the programme, as he played a pivotal role in founding the PSM News Channel during his tenure as the Former Managing Director of the Public Service Media (PSM). The minister worked in the field of journalism and broadcasting for several years, actively engaging in various media positions, including reading and writing news articles.

Highlighted the convenience within the field following the advancements of technology, Minister Khaleel revealed articulated his vision for PSM News to serve as the primary national channel, delivering reliable and timely news coverage across the entirety of the country. In observance of World Press Freedom Day, the minister noted the continuous expansion of press freedom over the years. On this stance, he stressed the significance of media outlets to execute obligations in disseminating news, urging the spread of credible information.

Furthermore, Minister Khaleel revealed the government’s plan to expand and promote journalism. As such, efforts are underway to provide educational opportunities and to strengthen the financial stability of media organisations.

Source(s): PsmNews

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Fourth meeting of High-Level Core Group on withdrawal of Indian troops held in Delhi

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1 day ago

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04/05/2024

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The fourth meeting of the High-level Core Group between the Maldives and India took place in Indian capital New Delhi on Friday.

Maldivian Foreign Ministry said both sides reviewed the existing bilateral cooperation between nations during Friday’s meeting while discussions were also held on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including development and defense cooperation.

Additionally, the Foreign Ministry said it was reiterated that the Indian government will replace military personnel at the last of the three aviation platforms by May 10th, adding both sides expressed satisfaction with the fact that all the logistical arrangements are going ahead as per schedule.

Both sides also agreed that the fifth meeting of the High-Level core Group will be held in Male’ on a mutually agreeable date in June or July.

The High-Level Core Group was formed following a meeting between Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of COP28.

Source(s): sun.mv

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Minister of Islamic Affairs to attend the OIC Summit as the President’s Special Envoy

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2 days ago

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03/05/2024

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The Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, will attend the 15th session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which begins tomorrow, as President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s Special Envoy.

The Minister of Islamic Affairs is scheduled to address the 15th session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as the President’s Special Envoy, which begins tomorrow, at Banjul, The Gambia. His address will be broadcast on television.

The Islamic Summit of the OIC, held once every three years, brings the leaders of the Islamic nations together to deliberate, take policy decisions, and provide guidance on issues pertaining to the Ummah as outlined in the OIC Charter.

The 15th Session of the Islamic Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will take place in Banjul, The Gambia, from May 4–5, 2024, under the theme “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development.”

Source(s): Presidents Office

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