Extra! Extra! Eyes of the World on Texas: Waco
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Waco
The city of Waco will forever be associated with a news story that captured the world’s attention in the spring of 1993.
On February 28, federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) raided a compound occupied by a religious group of Branch Davidians to execute a search warrant and arrest the group’s leader, David Koresh (aka Vernon Howell) for stockpiling illegal firearms. The stand-off between law enforcement and the Branch Davidians that followed—often referred to as “the siege”—would go on for 51 days and leave numerous people dead.
Attempts to negotiate with Koresh and subsequent strategies to drive him and others out of the compound failed. Although some Davidians were able to leave, many remained. Agents decided to move in on the compound with military-grade tanks and tear gas on April 19. A fire, the origins of which are still disputed, tore through the building. The event, shown on live television and captured in photos and news reports, served as a flashpoint for those who believed the government’s actions were not justified.
Letters, David Koresh. The Tragedy at Waco: New Evidence Examined: Eleventh Report. US Documents, Y1.1/2:SERIAL 14676.
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David Koresh regularly provided the FBI with letters such as these during the standoff. Requests that the letters be published to the general public were denied.
TIME Vol. 141. Main Collection, 051.05 T482M V. 141 No. 1-13. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Branch Davidian leader David Koresh maintained strong control over the Mount Carmel Center ranch during the standoff with law enforcement.
Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993. U. S. Dept. of Justice, 1993. TSLAC US Documents Collection, J 1.2:W 11. Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993 Image 1 - Cover. Click or tap on link or image to view larger version.
Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993. U. S. Dept. of Justice, 1993. TSLAC US Documents Collection, J 1.2:W 11. Report to the Deputy Attorney General on the Events at Waco, Texas, February 28 to April 19, 1993 Image 2 - Photo. Click or tap on link or image to view larger version.
Report of the Department of the Treasury on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms investigation of Vernon Wayne Howell also known as David Koresh. TSLAC US Documents Collection, T 70.2:K 84. Report of the Department of the Treasury on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms investigation of Vernon Wayne Howell also known as David Koresh Image 1 - Cover and Report of the Department of the Treasury on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms investigation of Vernon Wayne Howell also known as David Koresh Image 2 - Pages 38 - 39. Click or tap on links and images to view larger versions.
Images of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco helped to establish the scale and scope of the standoff.
Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage. Main Collection, 976.4284 G948w. IWaco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage Image 1 - Cover and Waco: David Koresh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage Image 2 - Two Pages of Photos. Click or tap on links and images to view larger versions.
Mad Man in Waco. Main Collection, 976.4284 B151M. Mad Man in Waco Image 1 - Cover. Click or tap on link or image to view larger version.
Mad Man in Waco. Main Collection, 976.4284 B151M. Mad Man in Waco Image 2 - Two Pages of Photos. Click or tap on link or image to view larger version.
The media coverage of the standoff between the Branch Davidians and law enforcement was unprecedented in its scale. Live coverage provided the American public with regular updates as law enforcement employed a variety of tactics to end the conflict.