The Nationalists, who had committed no crimes, called it a Bill of Attainder, which had been used by the kings of England to ban political enemies, but which is prohibited by the United States Constitution. Nationalists are now free of blacklisting. Richard Barrett was the Nationalists' attorney. But in a series of rapid-fire court cases, they established not only the right to use the courts, but the right to gain their fees and costs in having done so. They also established new precedent that the poor, who previously had been banned from legal proceedings seeking vindication of First Amendment rights, could sue even without prepaying court costs.
Nationalists now use court processes regularly.
Beverly Watts, the wife of a Georgia plumber, was the first, successful litigant. Many times, simply making demands or threats or rioting has caused officials to cave in to redistricting, bussing, installation of minorities and spending of public funds, all without a vote. In Georgia, minority Hosea Williams demanded that a Bi-Racial Committee, elected by no one, be set up to govern Forsyth County. It was secretly appointed, met behind closed doors at the courthouse and excluded the public from all of its deliberations. It was touted as a model for other parts of the country, as well.