Many young Americans may not recognize the significance of April 19th, but this date has played a crucial role in some of America’s most historical events in the fight against white supremacy and domestic terrorism.
On this day in 1985, the government besieged the white supremacist group The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord. In 1993, the Waco Branch Davidian compound was burned to the ground by government forces. Most notably, on April 19th, 1995, America experienced the deadliest act of domestic terrorism with the Oklahoma City bombing.
photo credits: HBO Max
An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th delves into the story behind the Oklahoma City bombing through the lens of all three historical events that occurred on this day. Producers Marc Levin and Daphne Pinkerson weave together various alt-right movements to provide a comprehensive portrayal of America’s deadliest domestic terror attack. The film explores the transformation of Timothy McVeigh from an American soldier fighting in the Gulf War to a perpetrator of heinous anti-American acts on April 19th. On this day in 1995, McVeigh killed 168 people and injured 680 by bombing the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
Photo credit: britannica.com
Following his return from the Gulf War, McVeigh struggles to adjust to civilian life and find purpose. After being rejected for the Green Berets, he becomes increasingly anti-government and begins living on the road while attending various gun shows, where he meets like-minded individuals along the way.
This film goes beyond highlighting the atrocious acts of an extremist American; it provides a detailed account of what could drive an individual on the fringes of society to engage in such extreme actions. From the outrage over the FBI’s handling of the infamous Ruby Ridge incident to the killing of women and children during the Waco siege, the documentary illustrates the chain of events that ultimately led to the bombing on April 19th, 1995.
The production also sheds light on the genuine anger fueling current alt-right movements and how it originated from the farmers’ crisis in the 1970s. Through three presidential rulings by Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan, farmers experienced a rollercoaster of hope and despair. They were initially encouraged to grow more crops, but later faced bans on exports to the Soviet Union, leaving them with piles of unsold crops as the government turned a blind eye. This examination of modern American history helps viewers understand how some rightfully angry Americans are exploited by the alt-right movement to commit unjustifiable acts of murder.
Photo credit: Winnie Ren
After the film screening, guests attended a panel discussion hosted by the producers and key NBC reporters who have covered the case from the initial bombing to present-day investigations. The panel raised questions such as whether two men could realistically fill a truck with homemade explosives overnight or where they obtained the funds for this given neither had stable employment.
Additionally, the audience heard from Kathy Sanders, an Oklahoma bombing victim who started a pen pal relationship with Terry Nichols, the other convict involved in the Oklahoma City bombing case. Through their correspondence, Nichols hinted multiple times at a broader network of involvement. Whether this is conspiracy or fact is left for the viewer to decide after watching this film.
During the reception, The Knockturnal team spoke with Mike Boettcher, an investigative journalist and war correspondent who originally reported on the 1995 tragedy. Boettcher emphasized that “An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th” serves not only as a retelling of the past horrific acts but also as an introduction for the younger generation to help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in today’s divisive political climate.
