Deacons for Defense and Justice

Deacons for Defense and Justice

The Deacons for Defense and Justice was an armed African-American self-defense group founded in 1964, during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. The organization was established to protect civil rights activists and their communities from white supremacist violence, particularly from the Ku Klux Klan.

History

The Deacons for Defense and Justice was founded in November 1964 in Bogalusa, Louisiana, by African-American veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The founders included Charles Sims, Frederick Douglass Kirkpatrick, and Earnest "Chilly Willy" Thomas. The group was formed in response to the increasing violence against civil rights workers and the African-American community, which local law enforcement often ignored or even supported.

Purpose and Activities

The primary purpose of the Deacons for Defense and Justice was to provide armed protection for civil rights activists and African-American communities. Unlike other civil rights organizations that advocated for non-violence, the Deacons believed in the right to self-defense. They organized patrols and provided security for civil rights marches and meetings.

The Deacons were particularly active in Louisiana and Mississippi, where they protected activists from the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Their presence was a deterrent to violence and helped to ensure the safety of those involved in the civil rights movement.

Impact

The Deacons for Defense and Justice played a significant role in the civil rights movement by challenging the notion that African-Americans would not defend themselves against racial violence. Their willingness to use arms in self-defense inspired other African-American communities to organize similar groups.

The Deacons' activities also highlighted the limitations of non-violent protest in the face of violent opposition. Their existence forced the federal government to take more decisive action to protect civil rights workers and enforce civil rights legislation.

Legacy

The legacy of the Deacons for Defense and Justice is complex. While they were criticized by some for their use of armed self-defense, they were also praised for their courage and effectiveness in protecting their communities. The Deacons demonstrated that African-Americans were willing and able to defend themselves, which was a powerful statement during the civil rights era.

The story of the Deacons for Defense and Justice has been the subject of books and films, including the 2003 television movie "Deacons for Defense," which dramatizes their struggle and impact.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Ku Klux Klan
• Congress of Racial Equality
• Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

References

• Hill, Lance. The Deacons for Defense: Armed Resistance and the Civil Rights Movement. University of North Carolina Press, 2004.
• "Deacons for Defense and Justice." Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History.

External Links

• Civil Rights Movement Veterans: Deacons for Defense