What did Debs think about the espionage law?

What did Debs think about the espionage law?

“I believe in free speech, in war as well as in peace,” Debs declared. “If the Espionage Law stands, then the Constitution of the United States is dead.” The jury found Debs guilty on three counts, and the judge sentenced him to ten years in prison. Newspaper editorials across the nation cheered his conviction.

What is Eugene Debs connection to the Espionage and Sedition Acts?

In June 1918, a month after passage of the Sedition Act, Debs gave an anti-war speech in Canton, Ohio and was arrested and charged with ten counts of sedition under the Sedition Act. Debs was convicted and sentenced to ten years in prison and was permanently stripped of his right to vote.

What was the main purpose of the Espionage Act?

It was intended to prohibit interference with military operations or recruitment, to prevent insubordination in the military, and to prevent the support of United States enemies during wartime.

Does the judge decide if someone is guilty?

The trial is a structured process where the facts of a case are presented to a jury, and they decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the charge offered. In a trial, the judge — the impartial person in charge of the trial — decides what evidence can be shown to the jury.

Why the death penalty is wrong?

It is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. The death penalty is discriminatory. It is often used against the most vulnerable in society, including the poor, ethnic and religious minorities, and people with mental disabilities. Some governments use it to silence their opponents.

What does Bible say about death penalty?

In the Hebrew Bible, Exodus 21:12 states that “whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.” In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus, however, rejects the notion of retribution when he says “if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”