People's Convoy Gives Up After Accomplishing Nothing in D.C.

[BumRushDaShow]

42. I remember during the late'80s/early '90s

when the strategy (that seemed to finally work) essentially started bankrupting these RW groups almost out of existence - the most storied one of course being the KKK chapter in Alabama after members carried out a lynching

KKK ORDERED TO PAY $7 MILLION TO FAMILY OF HANGING VICTIM


In an item published Friday, the Associated Press erroneously reported that the Alabama NAACP shared in the $7 million jury award to a Mobile, Ala., woman in her federal lawsuit against the United Klans of America Inc. The NAACP withdrew from the suit Jan. 22 after the Klan signed a consent decree pledging to adhere to restrictions against acts of intimidation. (Published 2/15/87)

MOBILE, ALA. -- A federal jury awarded $7 million in damages yesterday against the United Klans of America and six past and present Klansmen in the 1981 slaying of a black teen-ager whose body was left hanging in a tree. The verdict by the all-white jury was awarded to the family of Michael Donald, 19, who was beaten and strangled in Mobile in March 1981.

"I'm glad justice was done," Beulah Mae Donald, the victim's mother, said. "Money don't mean a thing to me. It won't bring my child back. But I'm glad they caught the guilty and brought them to court . . . ."

U.S. District Court Judge Alex Howard said he would hold a hearing within 90 days to determine the Klan's assets and what action was needed to turn them over to Donald's family and the Alabama chapter of the NAACP, the plaintiffs.

The verdict is expected to give the Donald family title to the United Klans' 7,000-square-foot national headquarters building in Tuscaloosa, said Morris Dees, an attorney for Donald's family.

(snip)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/02/13/kkk-ordered-to-pay-7-million-to-family-of-hanging-victim/ff1ce538-221f-4c05-a3aa-8300a14e2620/?utm_term=.cb3aaf1fc847

And those convicted had their wages garnished to contribute to the settlement -

The Woman Who Beat The Klan

By Jesse Kornbluth

Nov. 1, 1987

(snip)

Mrs. Donald and her attorney, State Senator Michael A. Figures, agreed to participate in the civil suit. Last February, an all-white jury in Mobile needed to deliberate only four hours before awarding her $7 million. In May, the Klan turned over the deed to its only significant asset, the $225,000 national headquarters building in Tuscaloosa. Meanwhile, Mrs. Donald's attorney moved to seize the property and garnish the wages of individual defendants. ''The Klan, at this point, is washed up,'' says Henry Hays, from his cell on death row.

(snip)

When court resumed, the judge nodded to Knowles. ''I've got just a few things to say,'' Knowles began, as he stood in front of the jury box. ''I know that people's tried to discredit my testimony. . . . I've lost my family. I've got people after me now. Everything I said is true. . . . I was acting as a Klansman when I done this. And I hope that people learn from my mistake. . . . I do hope you decide a judgment against me and everyone else involved.''

Then Knowles turned to Beulah Mae Donald, and, as they locked eyes for the first time, begged for her forgiveness. ''I can't bring your son back,'' he said, sobbing and shaking. ''God knows if I could trade places with him, I would. I can't. Whatever it takes - I have nothing. But I will have to do it. And if it takes me the rest of my life to pay it, any comfort it may bring, I hope it will.'' By this time, jurors were openly weeping. The judge wiped away a tear. ''I do forgive you,'' Mrs. Donald said. ''From the day I found out who you all was, I asked God to take care of y'all, and He has.'' Four hours later, the jury announced its $7 million award.

(snip)

Soon, she said, the Klan building will be sold. The Klan's money will make her too prosperous to remain in this housing project. Then she will have to leave her $94-a-month apartment, with its cinderblock walls, steep steps and sad memories. Even now, she says, her daughters are looking for a new apartment, convenient to her church and most of her 32 grandchildren.

(snip)

https://www.nytimes.com/1987/11/01/magazine/the-woman-who-beat-the-klan.html?pagewanted=all

Hit 'em in the pocketbook can deflate them. But nowadays, they have many "pocketbooks" so whoever can work out successfully targeting those organizations support groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, can try that strategy again.