There are lesser known inserrections which have occured in America such as one of the earliest large-scale insurrection, Bacon's Rebellion. In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon led a group of disgruntled citizens from the western part of Virginia eastward in search of justice. They felt their interests were not represented by Virginia's colonial legislature. At least 250 insurrections have been documented; between 1780 and 1864, ninety-one African Americans were convicted of insurrection in Virginia alone. The first revolt in what became the United States took place in 1526 at a Spanish settlement near the mouth of the Pee Dee River in South Carolina.
Only 10 days after the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg, New York City became embroiled in the largest popular insurrection in American history. The incident began on the morning of July 13, 1863, when hundreds of young men poured into the streets to protest the federal draft lottery.
What is to be done for those who incite or participate in an insurrection in the United States? 18 U.S.C. 2383 says, “Whoever incites, sets on foot, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.” It's funny. No one is calling for a fine or imprisonment of former President Donald Trump. People simply and rightfully wants his name not to be elligible to be on the ballot as a presidential candidate 2024.
The last successful coup in the United States happened on November 10 1898 when white supremacists overthrew the city government of the majority Black city of Wilmington, North Carolina. It followed years of race-baiting from Democrats, echoed and amplified by local partisan media. The insurrection started with the mob burning down the office of Black-run newspaper The Daily Record, and would eventually result in the killing of an unknown number of Black residents. The mayor, the alderman and the chief of police were forced to resign while prominent members of the Black community (along with unsympathetic whites) where expelled by threats or physical removal. The mob went on to alter the law to disenfranchise Black voters for generations, dropping enrolment numbers from over a 100,000 to less than 10. No one was ever prosecuted.
My book, The Politics of Prayer" reminds the reader to examine self. What kind of human do you choose to be no matter what is happening politically or in the world at large. We all have a duty, as citizens of a democracy, to vote and be engaged in creating a country that serves the greater good. But, historically, that has gone off of the rails at times. But we don't give up and we don't become violent. We use the law to create better laws. That's the process America signed up for.
We reach points in our lives and points in time when we wonder how in the heck did people vote for a particular government official. I offer you 1 Corinthians 1:28-29 "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly thing of the world and the depised things --- and the things that are not --- to nullify the things that are, so no one may boast before him."
My book says praying and politics go together. I also add that politics, praying, and voting go together too. No matter what SCOTUS decision regarding Trump is today, there are going to be angry people. So, I offer a prayer from Psalm 140:1-13
"Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men who devise evil things in their hearts; they continually stir up wars. They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; poison of a viper is under their lips. Keep me, O Lord from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men who have purposed to trip up my feet. The proud have hidden a trap for me, and cords; they have spread a net by my wayside; they have set snares for me. I said to the Lord, You are my God; Give ear, O Lord, to the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle. Do not promote his evil device, that they not be exalted. As for the head of those who surround me, may the mischief of their lips cover them. May burning coals fall upon them; may they be cast into the fire, into deep pits from which they cannot rise. May a slanderer not be established in the earth, may evil hunt the violent man speedily. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice will dwell in Your presence."
Now that's a prayer!!!
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