By using a creative application of civil laws against restraint of trade, and by seeking monetary damages, the center's lawyers brought the Klan organizations into court.

Metzger's Klan organization also had a security force which was involved in confrontations with communists and anti-Klan protesters.

Several suits have held Klan organizations responsible for crimes committed by its members.

Donald's mother sued the Klan organization and won a seven million dollar verdict, effectively bankrupting the white supremacist group.

But this is the first time a Klan organization has been held financially liable because it was so linked to violence committed by its members.

In ruling in her favor, the jury concluded that a Klan organization was financially liable for the criminal acts of its members.

Indiana's Klan organization reached its peak of power in the following years, when it had 250,000 members, an estimated 30% of native-born white men.

The lawsuit sought financial settlements from several Klansmen and Klan organizations in Alabama.

In 1966, Cole attempted a takeover of the Klan organization but died less than one year later from injuries sustained in a car accident.

It was not clear whether he had resigned or was disavowed by his national Klan organization.