She Atternsy Gererai Birector, FRZ ; AND? ly ; "pee 7 eran Reniaiiaenenaaae ne ee ets fer ems a A ee pre Set Lee i + 4 mctbred ne dehy Septeaber 2, 1965 Ley 8 SCION ets caer nomen OF ELAR Co se ATIONS | ACEAL. MATTERS , . wanty ; — AS you Snow, this Bureau has solved & hinser of ecasen involving racial rvistence in the Soutna, In this regard, publie attention particuliariy was fecused on the FEI"s rele in the &Olution of the urutal surders of Hvs, Viola Liuzzo, Lieutenart Colonel Lemuel A, Penn, aud the three civil Pigats Yorkers in BisSissipni. Hovever, we have achieved a numser ofotpgs tangible accospiisiments, most of which are not pusliely Known, and x Chouget you might be interested ig them. => = At the present time, for example, nearly [vo fpousand] 6f our informants and sources ara boing operated to OB —_—_— Up-to-date intellirerce data concerning racial wéiters which See .¥e disseminate on a coutinuine wasis. oF these. (274 )have been develased im just the PaSe yGare—-an average of sore stham (ive “ Warne, —_ ezehk Gay) for every aay i8 the past twelve MONTHS. Particularly significant has been tha hicshelevel penetration we have achieved of Klan organizations, At the prenent time, there are 34 Klan Srounps in existence, We have penetrated every one of thea through informants and currently &r@ Operating informants in top-level Positions of lendershin in Seven of ther. e ERrouch such coverage, Buch valuable information Pelating to a Variety of cases of vislence and plisnned violencé 38 tke civil rights field has veen ovteined, Just recently, for exassle, an informant secured and furnished to us the veapon used ig a civil richts ShSGtLIDS ancadent an Horth Caroling. Amother toformant provided tne information which led to the recovery of 2 larre volume of band grenades, amaunition, dvnawzite, aid otuer explosives which nad peen Stoien from fort HcCleilan is Alaoama., Still anctner Strategicaily placed tutornmant enavled ws te identify the klanseecn respoasiole torthe Bomvoine of tre Hutomoviios and a Hegre mortuary ia Kew inivn.. Nortn Carolina, ..— - sip oar SECURITY INFORMATION ‘ , \ Usawthorized ‘Disclosure 3 . Coblet to Criminal Sanetions HW 55098 Docld:3298055 age to Criminal &
096 * a . 4 ° * . . . - + 2 . ' . 4 Sat an) ° as s spas See ae ae Len ' expressed his great concern and fear of an outbreak of, TACABS Niolence because of the tense_situation. 7, Monro) CLASS _wefuncds in the Kian treasury. As a resuit of action we took, ~ ra Pe hs Says eRe Cee fam te te Tae ee, os OT MOP 0 LSet page os aaa ere ste yeteeneeke — fhe Attermey Generai he Solution to the series 67% bombings and burnings of sone 29 tO 205 homes in the &McCom>s, Hississipni, ares last verr sinilarig as based on anformaricz supplied by ene of our informsnts. Equally impertant, and something of which the publie 4s totaliy unaware, is the extent to which we have been able te forestall violence in certain racialiy explosive areas. In sa¢ southern state, for exampie, the governor, on one occasion, Bee bererrg Fo PRorecr. (oeremy: Oe (bite nan . . : ° ese ce ot / YAs a result, wa “nave Been” euecessful to “date “in Hdtetne Kiso violencs in the entirs state to am absolute minimum, * We aise are seizing every opportunity to disrupt the activities of Kian organigations, Typical is the eanner im which we expesed and thwarted a "kick back" scbeme a Hlan group was eeing Ag ane vgenthorn atete to hein finance tts azeriviti One mMomoer of the group was selling insurance to other Elana members and would deposit @ generous portion of the premius the insurance coripany learned ef the scheme and cancelled ail the policies hold oy Kian members, thereby cutting off a sisabsle source oi revenues which had been used to finance Kian activities. Z have furnished these examples to illustrate te you the approach this Bureau is taking to meet the challenge ef racial lawlessness in certrin areas today. Fhe above information has also been furnisked to Bonorable, Marvin Watsen, Special Assistant to the President. SELINA YELM AME ERM OE TT > . es i Doold: 329399552? Page 42
WATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION roo hing xa ~ Unauthorized Disclosure. aeeleoot 3 PL ohtd wa ; HW 55096 Honorable Marvin Watson ‘Special Assistant to the President The White House Washington, D. Co Sear Mr, Watsons . As you know, this Bureau has solved a number of cases invoiving racial violence in the Souch. In this regard, public attention particularly was focused on the FBI*s role in.the solution of the brutal murders of Mrs. Viola Liuzzo, Lieutenant Colonel Lemuel A. Penn, and tho three civil rights workers in Mississippi, However, we have achieved a number of. other tangible accomplishments, most of which are not publicly known, and f thought the President might be interested in them. At the present time, for example, nearly (two thousand| of our informants and, scurces ars being operated toa obtain Up-to-date intelligence data concerning racial matters which we disseminate on a continuing basis, of these ,( 774) have heen : developed in just the past yeare=aan average of more than two. each «= ° day} for every day in the past twelve months. 3 er Particularly significant has been the high-level penetration we have achieved of Klan organizations, At the present -time, there are 14 Klan groups in existence, We have penetrated every one of them through informants and currently are operating informants in top-level positions of teadorship in seven of them. Through such coverage, much valuable information relating to a variety of cases of violence and planned violence in the civil rights field has:been obtained, Just recently, for example, an informant secured and furnished to us the weapon used in a civil rights shooting incident in North Carolina, « Another informant provided the information: ‘which led to the Zecovary of a large volume of hand grenades, .ammunition, dynamite, Subject to Criminal Sanctions DoclId: 32969552 Page 43 -
«aye Rs , oe we * ’ . “ ‘ . oo. 3 . * bf t 1, . "4 — | Pi ; . Ao ‘ . vf. ; . ‘ e . Honorable Marvin Watson -and other exnlosives which had been stolen from Fort, McClellan in Alobama, Still anothor strategically placed informant onabicd wus to idontizy the klansmen rosponsible for ths bombing of two automobiles and a Negro mortuary at New Sern, North. Carolina, ‘The solution to the series of bombings and burnings of sone 20 to 25 homes’ in the iceComb, Mississippi, area last year similarly -was based on information supplied by one of our informants. Equaily important, and something of which the public is totally unaware, is the extent-to which we have been able to- forestall violence in certain racially explosive areas. In one Southern state, for example, the governor, on one Occasion, expressed his great concern and fear of an outbreak of racin violence because. of the | tense situation, | ' Aorrigd AF - Vinod fd [ —_ “pe awe: pe Adiga, 178 Phaleeet yaar OF AIT LU. a tee es tae a SeSale, “We Bave boon _ gvecessful - to date in holding Rian violence in the entire State to an absolute minimum. We also are seizing every opportunity to disrupt he activities of Kian organizations. Typical is the manner in which we exposed and thwarted a "kick back" scheme a Klan group J|was using in one southern state to help finance its activities, | One member of the group was selling insurance to ether Klan members and would deposit a generous portion of the premium vefunds in the Klan treasury, As a result of action we téok, the insurance company learned of the scheme and cancelled all the policies -held by the Klan members, thereby cutting off a Bizoble source of revenue which had’ been used to finance Klan activities. Z have furnished these examples to illustrate to the eresident the approach this Bureau is taking to meet the challenge ef racial lawlessness in certain areas today and want him to know of our determination to press forward in this vein even more vigorously in the future in line with his determination to establish a peaceful and prosperous society in thig Nation. . Sincerely yours, co on . Sen (enaene SS EMA Ue ee . of PYRE erow FB | 55098 DocId:32989552 Page 44 meecensyecaeeys peg avannanceng ey FP Pear nero 11 Ter rates pemmeideidlneatls baila ieembaianmnedialahde
(Otfics of the Attorney General Washinatan, 1. C. September 3, 1965 wey MEMORANDUM JFOR Director cau of Investigation Isdgax Hoove Federal Bur Your memorandura of Septernber 2 regarding penetration and disruptior of Klan Organizations ' Ihave been awaxe in a general way of the accomplishments of the Bureau in the NIN A&A OW but Tappreciates haying area of Klan C reeeTeeiah UL and I hope you penatratian, detailed information on this subject, dawill continue to keep me up to date on it te at Vi a: at tt aw this opportunity to congratulate May I take > informant system in the you on the development of yo izations and on the results you it is unfortunate t ‘Kan organ at the value of these : through it. a -activitics would in most cases be lost ifioo extensive publicity were given to them; however, pexhaps at some ipoint it may be possible to place these achievements on the public record, so that the Bureau can receive its rdue credit. Ap) A Attorney General - Michgla: 1S 5 dels... autvenbach yi a eee RAMs fK ate CURITY INFORMATION wod Disclosure Guigainal Sanctions TONAL SE Unauthor! Doclagapqees 1D
“December 19, 1967 _ KU KLUX KLAN INVESTIGATIONS FBI ACCOMPLISHMENTS . DECLASSIFIED B . .BACKGROUND on __ fo send / 7 “Historically, the problem of the Ku Klux Klan in | the United States has exiSted since the days of Reconstruction following the Civil War. The Invisible Empire is vell know for its terrorist, nightriding activities and has been respon- sible since its inception for numerous racial atrocities throughout the country. The Klan reached its peak during the . 1920s when it claimed millions of members and it became almost defunct during World War IT., In 1954, with the historic Supreme Court decision regarding desegregation of public schools, it beceme revitalized. In 1964, with the passage of civil rights legislation by the Congress, the Klan recruited thousands of persons who feared the-rise of.the Negro and . the threat to the “Southern way of life." | L ee The Klan has usually been located in the South al~ though there have been attempts to organize it in the Nort Midwest, and far West. The Klan attracts individuals in the rural areas who are poorly educated with:limited incomes The Klan exploits the fears, hatred, and ignorance of people who feel they are threatened by the Negro, the Jew, the Catholic, and the immigrant. — PRESENT STATUS : Presently there are 14 Kian organizations under . investigation with a membership of approximately 14,000. The ‘largest of these. grotips, the United Klans of America, Inc., Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, with Headquarters ‘in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has an estimated membership of about 10,000. Co Meta, EECURITY INFORMATION? - SE oa be ite mat orized Disclosure - oub 1 1 Sanctions t+ to Crimina = automatiy’ 35098 DocId: 32989552 Page aflowngradt and | | aero eey par remit Perera TN mesma ete rows ewe BT SS 9 eer Seeeererr ran Deemer ”
SERRIET ° ‘ i ad ‘ —e . .- . ‘. ° . © s° we . Ku Klux Klan Investigations coe * . _ , . 7 gers . ¢ ° , . a Vv ; Since 1964 Klan membership has declined in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana and increased in North ¢ AS and” South Carolina and Virginia. The North Carolina Klan has the largest mambership of any, state in- the Union under v e the leadersKip of | ee ° The most secretive and vicious Klan orgarlization in recent years has been*the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of Mississippi under ¢ the leadership of ; “of Laurel, Mississippi, who was recently con- “Weted in connection with the murder of. hee FBI. RESPONS IBILITY This ‘Bureau has a three- fold purpode in investi the Ku Klux Klan and individuals associated with Kian Geeeni- zations, First, we investigate violations of Federal law committed by the Klan with the view toward prosecution in Federal court. Second, we conduct intelligence investigations with the view toward infiltrating the Ku Klux “Klan with infor- mants, neutralizing it as a terrorist organization, and deterrin: violence. Third, ‘we provide the Department with the results of our investigations for possible designation of Klan organi- zations under Executive Order 10450. oo . Ga MAJOR. CASES ry * . Muicder of Three Civil Richts Workers . In June, 1964, three civil ri s workers we murdered in Neshoba County, Mississippi setting of £ an * Enten. Sive FRI investigation, In October, 1967, 7 of 18 defendanis: were ‘convicted in Federal court in Meridian, Mississipsi, for violation of the victims! civil rights. An 8th defendant pleaded guilty and a mistrial was declared as to three other defendants, Our investigations revealed that there was a bro-d Ka Klux Kian plot hehind the abduction and murder of the victins. Re . ht os . SERRET 1 HW 55098 Docld: 32969552 Page 49 . ns a wn “ee
| | 4 NW 55098 Docld:32989552 Page 50 Ku Klux Klan Investigations - | Klan informants were used as witnesses in this trial and ‘they unfolded a story of Klan violence and terrorism rarely j presented in any court, os Murder of’ Vernon Dahmer eT oe In January, 1966, Vernon F, Dahmer, a leader of the National Association sfor the Advancement of Colored, People in Hattiesburg; Mississippi,.died as a result of . wounds received when his home was burned and shot into by the Ku Klux Klan, Twelve klansmen have been indicted by the Federal Grand Jury and the case is presently pending in United States District Céurt at Hattiesburg. FBI informants were instrumental in determining’in the early stages of the iavestigation that _ “and the members of the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan of Mississippi were respor nsible for Dahmer's death, ° Murder’of Lemuel Penn  .” in July, 1964, Lemuel Penn, an Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel and Negro educator from Washington, D. C., was killed by shotgun blasts near Colbert, Georgia. An exhaus- tive investigation by this Bureau resulted in the arrest of four members of the Ku Klux Klan, Informants also played a + major role in this case. In October, 1964, a Federal Grand Jury returned an indictment charging. six men, including the four arrested for Penn's murder, with conspiracy to injure, oppress, and threaten to intimidate Negro citizens in the free exercise of their Constitutional rights. Two of the defendants were convicted and: four were acquitted. | Murder of Viola Liuzzo i ‘In March, (1965, Mes, Viola Liuzzo was killed by gun *blasts near Selma, Alabama, and three members of the Ku Lux e o ‘ ¢ « a . . ~
ry a . . ‘ . > . , aa | | | 7 sien | . . ¢ . . * , , . , e Ku Klux Klan Investigations woe Klan were arrested and charged with her slaying. Gary Thomas Rove, who subsequently testified against these defendants, was present at the time Mrs. Liuzzo was murdered, This case dramatically emphasized our penetration of ‘the Klan when it was publically disclosed that Rowe was an FBI informant. ‘The three defendants were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury and convicted in Federal court for conspiracy. . *. McComb , Mississippi, Bombings From June through September, 1964, a series of bombings: occurred in McComb, Mississippi. After intensive FBI investigation; nine niombers of the Ku Klux Klan were arrested and charged with bombing homes and churches at McComb. THese nine klansmen entered pleas of guilty and nolo contendere in local court. FBI-informants were instrumefital in uncovering : the plot and identifying suspects, New Bern, North Carolina,” Bombings In early 1965, a strategically placed informant r enabled us to identify klansmen responsible’ for: the bombing of two automobiles and a Negro mortuary‘in New Bern, North Carolina, This information was turned over to local authorities. Three defendants were convicted in State court, Bogalusa Injunction In Bogalusa, Louisiana, during the height of the racial disorder in that community in 1965, FBI investigation led.to the obtaining of an injunction against the Anti- communist Christian Association also known as Original Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, This was a major deterrent to further Klan Violence in that community. ° . ‘.¢ Y. Klan Terrorism, Rowan and Cabarrus Counties, North Carolina @: Cd In July, 1967, FBI investigations led to the arrest and indictment of 12 men in Rowan County, North Carolina, Y LN. HW ns098 Docld:32989552 Page 51
. . . . . ; . - . . ” ’ . . . ey “ . . , oo. a, . ef. oes rr ee oe .. se a "4 . soo oS ' . 7 oe . . * o_e . "¢@ . * . then : ‘ 7 oR O . . -¢ . oo. ". we . . SSERET , . 2 / 4 - . ry ~2° 8 . . -? «i y . . ee . z _ on ans . ’ . . € ku Klux Klan Investigations co 2 See | ‘ . * . wi : ; . - "€or numerous acts of racial, intimidation and violence, ve ets INFORMANTS . a Informant coverage in Klan‘ groups has been an important part of our program and our coverage is aimed at oR. -both high-level and low-level, penetration. For example, 8 vecently the United Klans of America held its National we _-Klonvocation in Tuscaloosa. Alabama, £0 elect members of the imperial Board. * O2 . fe es. Trond Degeres.. Aap or ‘can fae ae . wT Solhi ef 4 Perhaps one of the. most aiseieuie. ef our assign- . ments is.the penetration of Klan "action squads. Ww An action squed is a small group of klansmen, within a Klavern or acting independently, whose purpose is to commit acts of terrorism ° and violence, “We have penetrated_a_mumber of these groups _ and. among, the most_notorious_ are Dekeres POF tantPibies Khaveaws’ awe Phere a (fou aI Bs m6) Covad Fagen rare So 2 Kes « Poy SPECIAL PROJECTS | Florida of, ep wo oo - Through an intensive effort by Bureau Agents in our Florida offices handling intelligence information and Bureau {nformarits within the Florida Ku Klux Klan, we were able to effect the removal of of the United Klans of America, Realm of Florida, Through Bureau informants, misuse of Klan funds: mismanagement of Klan affairs; and, personal misconduct were brought to the o _bttention of the Klan rank and file and was deposed as D heagent > There has been. no replacement and the Florida 1 e ° | HW 55098 Docld:32969552 Page 52 anf er
Ku Klux Klan Investigations 5 Me Louisiana tae a.¢ ' Klan has been slowly deteriorating. . We have found that by. the remowal of tep Klan officers and.provoking scandal within the state Klan organization through our informants, the Klan in a particular area can be rendered ineffective. is attempting to reorganize the Florida Klan and we are following it closely. * “oy f . oA "s. 8 Through our informant ‘cperations,“the United Klans of America~ , the State of Mississippi has been xemoved -and disevedited., Further attempts by the United Klans to expand in Mississippi have been deterred. ey . . A Ege Tennessee . a an pS "In the early stages of Klan er owth fn the State of Tennes Bee we were able to develop as. a Bureau informant A meme of the United Klans of- America, Realm of Tennessee. Through this ;S0uree we.were able to. control the expansion of the Klan. “More importantly , We were able to discourage violence throughout the state. The Klan in Tennessee Has not expanded to the proportions it has in other states and its lack of success can be. attributed to our highly placed informant. . In March of 1966, high-level informants in the - Loulsiana Klan were responsible for the defeat of notoriously militant incumbent Klan leaders. Subsequently, A senor of the United Klans of America, removed A teracd FA ral and to this date;’” **"’has not been replaced. . This action contributed to the disorganization and disruption - (of the United Klans in Louisiana, an w Docld: 32989552 Page 53 Sr TT ~ el ay pa ey . , . makindiibinedibanene ry a ° . 2k reer. tery cn eye pean nemennper npernnememnnnn ne mee ne 8 me rem ge
-% oan ewneeet so Ka Klux Klan Investigations > a illinois ee ” ay nts Attempts wera made to organize the Ku Klux Klan in the States of Illinois and Wisconsin. Dezerey ay *P es .- fo SPATE KAA IP, /ctAe . . in August, 1966, a series of bombings occurred in Milwaukee, Wiseonsin, Through a high-level Klan source of our Chicago Office we learned thet 4 KAsr offreiAL was responsib ble ‘ _£or these bombings. The Department ruled that there was ~ no prosecutable Eederal violation. However, we pursued an intellicence-type investigation and furnished local author- dties in Milwaukee with complete information coming from our Chicago Klan informants. 77 cfsre yg Was sub- sequently convicted and sentenced to 15 years, The result has been that.the Klan in Illinois arid Wisconsin has not been able to effectively organize dnd its expansion in the Midwest has been halted. 7 s Virginta , ye os ae a in the Fall of 1965 the United Kans of America began an intensive organizational effort in the State of Virginia. ile immediately began an all-out effort. to penetrate the Virginia Klan, contain its growth, and deter violence. Working closely with local and state authorities wa were able to disseminate information on contemplated cross burnings. Several arrests were made based on FBI information furnished to local police and in one situation, a klansman was sentenced to three years in local court for burning crosses, a felony under Virginia law. While conducting official investigations, two Agents of this Bureau were assaulted by klansmen vho were later convicted on charges of Assault of a Federal Officer and ' Obstruction of Justice in Federal Court in Richmond, Virginia. in Decembér, 1966, the Special Agent in Charpe of "our Richmond Office contacted Virginia Governor Mills Godwin “N\ HW 55098 to intensify cooperation between the Virginla State Police ”. Docld:32989552 Page 54 SRERET
HW 55098 . . ° . . . ee . s * . a . ' . . . . . e ‘ . 4 7 en Se oa ies SY ' wh ets . ve . . i 8 ° o- . toe . ‘, Ku Klux Klan Investigations - . . . - e s . Ns Ra and the FBI in Klan matters. ‘ve provided the Governor with . information regarding Klan activities in his state, As 4. result, Governor Godwin pressed for more’ effective. ‘enforcement - of Virginia cross burning lavws,. and publically repudiated the Ku Klux Klan. Shortly after thé Governor's public. repudlation, the Klan attempted. to retallate and wa learned of plans to ; rn crosses in the Gity of Richmond én defiance of the Governor. We furnished this data: to local authorities who | arrested five klansmen, thus seriously 7 Campening Klan enthu- siasm for sucha projects. 4 in May, 1966, ‘we learned of Khan plans: to Narrange an accident" for .a edivil rights worker working in ‘tthe State of Virginia. We ‘advised. -and local authorities of the plot against her life and’ elerted our ine formants to follow the plot closely. To this-date, the Klan has taken no action against ” This ig just one of > many ‘exemples of our notifying authorities and intended Se victims of raciel violence in ordes- that they, could take cia eppropriate protective MEASUTESs Le a eo ce Sid ee ‘LEATSON WITH LOCAL AUTNORTTTES When we receive intelligence information concerning violations of local laws such as cross burnings, bombings, or shootings, we notify local euthorities. For example, in April of 1966, the Louisiana Klan planned to burn crosses throughout the state. We furnished this data to local authors ities and arrests were effected thus deterring further acts ' of harassment, intimidation, and violence. This is another example of incidents which are handled in our day-to-day cones, ‘ tacts with local police. * . $ an . .. + . ° DoclId: 32989552 Page 55 - ; ‘ oe ee ee
' . . - a To . . ' . . , . . ' , i, ° r wt . co oo Ps a rs ° . . . Mey . . we ye . . the : . . os "6. * . . oo 203) ser : 3 . . Ku KLux Klan iavestigations ~ oe ° KLAN INFILTRATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT | - We are constantly alert for information concerning klansmen who become members of lecal and state palice " ¢ agencies and Klan attempts to infiltrate law enforcement. , Law enforcement agencies have always been a prime target of the Ku Klux Klan. In 1964, we furni'shed information. to Governor Paul Johnson of Mississippl concerning kLansmen who were members of the Mississippi Highway Patrol. These men _were subsequently fired, Since that time relations have . ‘ greatly improved ,rendering more effective the fair exercise of local law enforcement responsibilities in Mississippl. It has been part. of our established policy to notify the head of the law enfdrcement agency involved of any mem- ber of his organization who has*been sworn into the Ku Klux lan. In addition, the Governor of the state is notit ted. ¥ ACQUISITION ¢ OF “WEAPONS. AMD DyNANiTrS : OF THE KU KLUX KLAN o ; As part of our’ investigat ion of Klan groups, we determine the éxtent to which they are acquiring and stock- piling weapons, ammunition, and dynamite. During our invese tigations We always endeavor to cetermins the numbers and types of weapons. and the amount of dynamite possessed by klansmen. In 1964, for example, , was arrested ky FBI Agents and local atithéritiés for possession of dynamite which, according to our Klan sources, he Intended to use for bombing purposes. Lf it is determined that illegal weapons such as automatic machine guns;. illegal rifles and shotguns, are’ being held by klansmen, appropriate investigations under the National and/or Federal Firearms Act are instituted. , ‘ ; a, ; 6 . ‘ . + .@ . . a ’ . . - . ‘ - Yo : a < ° . ° e * & en, ae. ‘ HW 55098 Docld:32989552 Page 56. "  SIVRET