Witch hunts didn’t end in colonial America. They continue today.
End Witch Hunts is dedicated to educating the public about both historical and contemporary witchcraft persecution. Through our podcasts, social media, traditional media, publications, and presentations, we raise awareness about harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks worldwide, working toward their elimination. We collaborate with experts and policymakers, and we partner with organizations such as historical societies, libraries, museums, and educational institutions.
Right now, the state of Massachusetts has an opportunity to demonstrate that confronting historical injustice matters, both for the past and for the present.
Bill H.1927: Exonerating Massachusetts Witch Trial Victims
Between 1647 and 1688, five women were executed for alleged witchcraft in Boston, Massachusetts: Margaret Jones, Elizabeth Kendall, Alice Lake, Ann Hibbins, and Goody Glover. These women endured false accusations, torturous examinations, and unjust executions based on fear and prejudice.
Nearly four centuries later, their names remain tainted by wrongful convictions.
Bill H.1927,“An Act exonerating certain individuals accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts” will receive a hearing by the Joint Committee on the Judiciary on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM proposed by Rep. Steven Owens of Cambridge and Watertown, will clear the names of 8 individuals convicted of witchcraft in Boston and recognize all others who suffered witchcraft accusations in Massachusetts. This legislation represents more than clearing historical records. It’s about acknowledging injustice, honoring the memory of those who suffered, and demonstrating our commitment to learning from past mistakes.
Massachusetts has exonerated all those convicted during the Salem witch trials of 1692 and 1693, but left these five women behind. They remain the only people executed for witchcraft in New England who have never been cleared. It’s time to finish the job.
Why This Matters for Our Work
Historical and Contemporary Witch Hunts Are Connected
The same patterns that led to executions in colonial Massachusetts operate in witch hunts today:
- Scapegoating outsiders and vulnerable community members
- Targeting vulnerable women, especially those who are unprotected
- Using fear to justify violence and injustice
- Denying victims basic rights and due process
In every nation around the world, people are still being accused of witchcraft. They still face violence, imprisonment, and death because of these accusations. Witch hunts never stopped. They continue globally with devastating consequences for victims and their families.
When we advocate for Margaret Jones, Elizabeth Kendall, Alice Lake, Ann Hibbins, and Goody Glover, we also stand with every person around the world who is being accused of witchcraft right now. Their stories are separated by centuries but united by the same persecution, the same violence, the same injustice.
Exoneration Sends a Powerful Message
By formally exonerating these victims and acknowledging what was done to them, Massachusetts can demonstrate that it’s possible to confront injustice honestly, both historically and in its ongoing, present day reality. This legislation acknowledges that:
- These women did not have a diabolical pact with the devil. They were innocent people falsely accused.
- It was human agency that executed alleged witches, not a community deluded by the devil. People made these choices and people must take responsibility for the injustice.
- Previous efforts are incomplete. Massachusetts has exonerated those convicted during the 1692-1693 Salem witch trials, but has never issued an official acknowledgment of all Massachusetts witch trial victims. Connecticut has completely absolved its witch trial victims and apologized to descendants. Massachusetts can follow this model and finish the job.
- Witch hunting is not a relic of the past. Witch hunts continue today globally. By understanding historical witch trials and acknowledging their injustices, we can better support communities currently grappling with witchcraft accusations, providing them with education and resources to resist violence and protect vulnerable community members from persecution.
Building on Success: The Connecticut Model
The Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project was founded in 2022. On May 25, 2023, Connecticut passed House Joint Resolution 34, “Resolution Concerning Certain Witchcraft Convictions in Colonial Connecticut” by overwhelming bipartisan majorities. The resolution absolved 34 victims and apologized to their descendants.
The Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project connected the resolution to contemporary witch hunts, strengthening support for the legislation and educating the public about ongoing witch hunting.
Now we’re supporting the Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project in achieving similar success for their victims.
The Five Women Who Deserve Justice
Margaret Jones (executed 1648) was a woman whose medicines were deemed too effective, her skill too powerful. When neighbors’ misfortunes occurred, she became the scapegoat. She maintained her innocence to the very end.
Elizabeth Kendall (executed between 1647 and 1651) was falsely accused by a nurse who blamed her for a child’s death, a child who had actually died from the nurse’s own negligence. Even after the nurse’s fraudulent testimony was revealed, Elizabeth was never exonerated.
Alice Lake (executed c. 1650) was a mother of four who had been judged harshly for choices she made as a young woman. That judgment haunted her and was weaponized against her when witchcraft accusations arose.
Ann Hibbins (executed 1656) was called “quarrelsome” for speaking her mind and refusing to accept unfair treatment. Her husband had been an Assistant in the Massachusetts General Court, but even her connections couldn’t save her from being targeted as a widow with property.
Goody Glover (executed 1688) was an Irish Catholic widow whose first language was Gaelic. An outsider within her community, she became an easy target when children exhibited strange behaviors.
These women were not witches. They were healers, mothers, widows, and immigrants who became victims of fear, misogyny, and injustice.
The Hearing: November 25, 2025
The Joint Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on Bill H.1927 on November 25, 2025. This is a critical opportunity for advocates, descendants, and anyone who cares about justice to voice their support.
How You Can Support This Effort
1. Sign the Petition
Visit change.org/witchtrials and add your name to those calling for justice in Massachusetts.
2. Submit Testimony
Written testimony can be submitted to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary. Consider including:
- Your connection to witch trial justice or End Witch Hunts’ mission
- Why acknowledging historical injustice matters for addressing contemporary witch hunts
- The truth that these were innocent people, not practitioners of harmful magic
- How exoneration strengthens our collective commitment to human rights
3. Share Widely
Use your platforms to spread awareness about H.1927. Connect historical witch trials to ongoing persecution. Use hashtags like #H1927, #WitchTrialJustice, #EndWitchHunts.
4. Contact Massachusetts Legislators
Tell them you support H.1927. Explain why this matters not just historically, but for our understanding of persecution and scapegoating today.
5. Learn More
- massachusettswitchtrials.org: Details about the 8 convicted individuals and how to support H.1927
- connecticutwitchtrials.org: Learn about Connecticut’s successful exoneration
- witchhuntshow.com & aboutsalem.com: Listen to our podcasts exploring witch trial history and contemporary witch hunts
Our Broader Mission
End Witch Hunts is dedicated to educating the public about both historical and contemporary witchcraft persecution. Our educational efforts include podcasts, social media, traditional media, publications, and presentations. We collaborate with experts and policymakers, and we partner with organizations such as historical societies, libraries, museums, and educational institutions.
We proudly support the International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks (INAWARA) and advocate for the implementation of UN Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8, which calls upon nations, NGOs, and individuals around the world to take actions toward ending harmful practices related to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks.
Our Projects Include:
- Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project: Seeking exoneration for the 8 individuals convicted of witchcraft in Boston
- Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project: Successfully achieved absolution in 2023; continuing memorial and education work
- World Without Witch-Hunts: Central effort to advocate for elimination of harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks
- End Spiritual and Ritual Abuse: We are actively tracking Spiritual and Ritual Abuse cases in the United States to help shed light on this hidden phenomenon
- The Thing About Witch Hunts podcast: Covering historic witch trials and contemporary witchcraft accusations
- The Thing About Salem podcast: Deep dive into Salem witch trial history
The Time to Act is Now
Legislative windows can close quickly. The Massachusetts legislature needs to hear from citizens who care about justice, not just historical justice, but justice for all victims of witch hunting, past and present.
Five women hanged for witchcraft have waited nearly four centuries for their names to be cleared.
Will you be one of the voices that finally brings them justice?
End Witch Hunts A vision for a world without witch hunts, where all victims are exonerated, modern victims and their families receive justice, and tribute is paid to past victims.
For more information about our work, visit endwitchhunts.org To support Massachusetts exoneration efforts, visit massachusettswitchtrials.org To learn about Connecticut’s success, visit connecticutwitchtrials.org