what does it mean to be lynched

To be lynched means to be killed illegally by a mob or group of people without any legal trial or due process. This extrajudicial punishment is often carried out by hanging, but can include other violent acts like burning, torturing, or beating. The act is done by people who take the law into their own hands, usually driven by anger, hatred, or a desire to enforce social control outside the legal system. Lynching notably has historical ties to racial violence in the United States, especially targeting African Americans, intended to instill fear and maintain white supremacy. It is a form of murder by mob action without legal approval or permission.