Carian Berita

1768: James Otis Jr. Opposes Writs of Assistance and Absolute Power

On June 21, 1768, Massachusetts lawyer and activist James Otis Jr. delivered a bold speech at the General Court condemning King George III and the British Parliament for the use of writs of assistance — unlimited search warrants to search and seize property — and affirmed the principle 'no taxation without representation is tyranny.' This event deepened the rift between the colonies and Britain, and laid the intellectual foundation for the American struggle for independence.