Another American Disappointment... Something Important I Totally Missed

Apparently, I don't pay attention very well. In class this evening, I learned that the United States has NEVER BANNED LYNCHING.

What the &#*(*@ ?!!!

Yes, it's true, Ladies and Gentlemen... There are places in the United States where it is still legal to kill someone without a court judgment against them. (CORRECTION: It's not really legal, it just isn't a separate crime that has an explicit and additional penalty. See below.)

In June, the Senate apologized for never having passed a law against lynching. Only 80 of the 100 senators co-sponsored the bill and no record was taken of those who did not vote for it.

That day (June 13, 2005), News Hour featured an interview with the descendent of a lynching victim who came to D.C. to hear the apology. Apparently, a ninety-one-year-old lynching survivor was also present.

J. pointed out to me that lynching is still illegal, since it is murder (or attempted murder, or at least some sort of assault) after all. However, some states (such as my home, California) do specifically outlaw lynching (a group kidnapping and vigilante-style assault) as a crime or civil rights violation, with a penalty above and beyond that of the assault. Moreover, those in a lynching crowd who do not actually perform the injuring or fatal actions are hard to hold liable without such legislation.