Brown v. Invisible Empire, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan Justice
for marchers attacked by Klan In 1979, over 100 members of the
Invisible Empire Klan, armed with bats, ax handles and guns,
clashed with a group of peaceful civil rights marchers in
Decatur, Alabama. Two marchers were shot in the head and face.
Others were beaten with clubs and sticks. Forced to flee for
their lives, they abandoned plans for a peaceful demonstration
and sought safety. Though the FBI investigated and could not
find enough evidence of a conspiracy to charge the Klansmen, the
Center filed a civil suit against the Invisible Empire and
numerous Klansmen. Center investigators uncovered evidence that
convinced the FBI to reopen the case, and nine Klansmen were
eventually convicted of criminal charges. The Center's civil
suit was finally resolved around 1990. The settlement required
Klansmen to pay damages, perform community service, and refrain
from white supremacist activity. In a unique addition, the
Klansmen were also required to atte