Canada U.S. Courts Work
Justice denied. That is how families who lost their loved ones feel, when the accused is not found guilty of murder. Sometimes on a technicality. The legal system is not perfect but it still works when we look at two cases where the crime committed had an element of ‘dare.’
We'll do this. We dare the government to do something.
Canada: On 28 January 2022, truckers who called themselves Freedom Convoy parked their rigs around government buildings, bringing Ottawa the capitol city to a halt. They were protesting COVID-19 requirements such as being vaccinated. They also blocked key bridges joining Canada and U.S. Convoy leaders like Pat King were detained, got bail and currently face multiple federal charges.
United States: On 6 January, Trump supporters did the unthinkable: attack the building regarded throughout the world as a symbol of democracy. Courts work, because Richard Barnett, who broke into Nancy Pelosi’s office, was found guilty and will be sentenced in May. Kevin Seefried, who carried the Confederate flag got three years in prison.
Prison sentences and other forms of punishment are a deterrent. We might consider doing a crime, but the thought of wearing an orange uniform, being sexually abused by other inmates and entering police vehicles in chains, drives the thought out of the window.
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
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