Texas even sent a Klansman to the US Senate. Interest in the Klan waned again as the Great Depression monopolized Americans' attention. By the civil rights movement in the 1960s, membership was down to 45,000 - mostly in the South. But protected by state and local police, its members were able to carry out many violent acts that were never prosecuted. For Mr. Berlet, the Birmingham verdict has implications far beyond an old man going to prison for life.
Studies show hate crimes decrease when politicians and citizens strongly denounce it.
It's showing people where we stand as Americans, what the limits are, and to what lengths we will go to punish what is unacceptable. The Christian Science Monitor. All rights reserved.