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Vigilante

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A vigilante is a person who ignores due process of law and enacts his own form of justice when they deem the response of the authorities to be insufficient. Several groups and individuals have been labeled as vigilantes by various historians and media. Vigilantes have been central to several creative fictional works and are often depicted as being heroes and retaliatory against wrongdoers.

Etymology

The term vigilante is Spanish for "watchman" or "watcher," ultimately from Latin "vigilans"- the present participle of "vigilare" (to watch). It was introduced into English from the Southwestern United States. Vigilantism is generally denounced by official agencies, especially when it gives way to criminal behavior on the part of the vigilante.

Vigilante behavior

An impetus of vigilant behavior must exist to facilitate a subjective definition of vigilantism.

"Vigilante justice" is usually spurred on by the perception that criminal punishment is insufficient or nonexistent to the crime. Some people see their governments as ineffective in enforcing the law; thus, such individuals fulfill the like-minded wishes of the community. In other instances, a person may choose a role of vigilante as a result of personal experience as opposed to a social demand.

Persons seen as escaping from the law, or "above the law" are generally the targets of vigilantism. It may target persons or organizations involved in illegal activities in general or it may be aimed against a specific group or type of activity, e.g. police corruption.

Vigilante behavior may differ in degree of violence. In some cases vigilantes may assault targets verbally, terrorize victims, perform inhumane acts, or may exhibit no violence at all, choosing other means of pressuring the target.

Differences from self-defense

John Longenecker, author of The Case For Nationwide Concealed Carry of Handguns, has a different take, and explains why the term Vigilante cannot apply to individuals who resist in self-defense. Longenecker points to the underhanded activities that earned the Vigilantes their place in history by intimidating the abolitionists who opposed Slavery. Longenecker says what meets the test of Vigilante:

  1. The acts would have to be outside the law, as in acting without court order or other lawful action. Legally, individuals may intervene to stop a crime in progress. But, where operating without authority was what Vigilante was all about, enforcing the law or responding in self-defense does have authority in the U.S.
  2. The acts would have to be without a redeeming social purpose, i.e. cannot be a mistake, for instance.
  3. The acts would have to be unrighteous, such as a wrong act fighting for a wrong cause. Keeping slavery alive would be one such example.
  4. The acts would have to include a killing, and an unlawful killing at that.
  5. The acts would have to be a conspiracy, or some sort of committee action which escalates the hasty, mob rule mentality with little restraint.

"Fundamentally," Longenecker explains, "Vigilante was killing to silence people for political purposes." Self-defense cannot be vigilante because individuals may use up to lethal force when in reasonable apprehension of grave danger. They are thereby not taking the law into their own hands when lethal force is allowed.

History

Vigilantism existed long before the word vigilante was introduced into the English language. In the Western literary and cultural tradition, characteristics of vigilantism have often been noted as folkloric heroes and legendary outlaws (e.g., Robin Hood). Vigilantism in literature, folklore and legend is deeply connected to the fundamental issues of morality, the nature of justice, the limits of bureaucratic authority and the ethical function of legitimate governance.

Colonial era

Formally-defined vigilantism arose in the early North American colonies. In these instances, the line between "taking the law into one's own hands," and rebellion or tyrannicide (to destroy an abusive corruption of a legitimate government and vindicate moral ends) was not clear.

19th century

Later in America, vigilante groups established themselves in poorly governed frontier areas where criminals preyed upon the citizenry with impunity.

20th century

  • In the 1920s, the Big Sword Society of China protected life and property in a state of anarchy.
  • Formed in 1977, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society has been increasingly active against whaling and fishing vessels which they see as violating international laws, regulations and treaties, particularly where whaling is concerned. It endorses an active policy of scuttling fishing and whaling vessels while in harbor, and ramming and sinking vessels engaged in the killing of whales. A tally on the side of the Sea Shepherd vessel Farley Mowat displays the ten whaling vessels (referred to as "Pirates" by the society) sent to the bottom by Sea Shepherds:

1979 – the whaler Sierra rammed and sunk in Portugal;
1980 – the whalers Isba I and Isba II sunk in Vigo, Spain;
1980 – the whalers Susan and Theresa sunk in South Africa;
1981 – the whaling ships Hvalur 6 and Hvalur 7 sunk in Iceland;
1992 – the whaler Nybraena sunk in Norway;
1994 – the whaler Senet sunk in Norway;
1998 – the whaler Morild sunk in Norway.

  • Founded in 1979 in New York City, the Guardian Angels is a recognized crime fighting organization that now has chapters in many other cities. It has sometimes been incorrectly called a vigilante organization. Safety Patrol members are instructed to call police, are trained in basic first aid, CPR, law, conflict resolution, communication, and basic martial arts, and are prohibited from carrying weapons.
  • Recognized since the 1980s, Sombra Negra or "Black Shadow" of El Salvador is a group of mostly retired police officers and military personnel whose sole duty is to cleanse the country of "impure" social elements. Along with several other organizations, Sombra Negra are a remnant of the death squads from the civil war of the 1970s and 1980s.
  • In 1984, Bernhard Goetz entered a subway train in New York and was surrounded by a group. He shot all four, fled the scene, and was called "the subway vigilante" by some media.
  • Known since 1995, the Davao Death Squad of present-day Davao City, Philippines unleashed a killing spree aimed at the city's (supposed) notorious criminals (and children) by unknown motorcycle riding vigilantes.
  • Formed since 1996, the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs of Cape Town, South Africa fights drugs and gangsterism in their region.
  • Formed since 1998, the Bakassi Boys of Nigeria were viewed as the frontmen in lowering the region's high crime when police were ineffective.

21st century (present day)