hate crimes

People v. The Klan: A Landmark Case That Bankrupted The KKK

Mar 25, 2025

The case of People v. The Klan—more formally known as Donald v. United Klans of America—stands as a pivotal moment in American legal history, marking one of the most significant legal victories against the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). This lawsuit, filed in 1984 by Beulah Mae Donald, the mother of lynching victim Michael Donald, not…
The Tragic Story of Oscarville: How Racial Terror Erased a Thriving Black Community

Feb 19, 2025

Before Georgia’s Lake Lanier became a popular recreation site, a thriving Black community stood in its place. Oscarville, established in the late 1800s during Reconstruction, was a self-sufficient town where Black farmers, carpenters, blacksmiths, and bricklayers flourished despite the racial tensions of the era. Its economic success stood in stark contrast to the struggles of…
The KKK’s First Lawsuit: A Legal Perspective on Accountability

Oct 26, 2024

The Ku Klux Klan (KKK), notorious for its violent acts against African Americans and other marginalized groups, faced its first significant legal challenge in the mid-20th century. The KKK’s history of terror and intimidation often went unpunished due to widespread societal complicity and systemic racism. However, a pivotal case emerged in 1969: Cohens v. Virginia.…
Man Sentenced for Racially Motivated Attacks on Two Black Women

Apr 29, 2024

A Florida man has been sentenced to 60 months in prison and three years of supervised release for committing two federal hate crimes by attacking two Black women with a gun. Frederick Eugene Pierallini III, 27, pleaded guilty to these crimes on July 6, 2023. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil…