Chattanooga State Hosts Powerful Screening of How to Sue the Klan

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) A powerful chapter of Chattanooga’s history was brought to life at Chattanooga State during a screening of How to Sue the Klan. The film tells the gripping story of five Black women who survived a Ku Klux Klan attack in the 1980s and their brave decision to take the Klan to court.

Attorney Randolph McLaughlin, who led the lawsuit, spoke to students about the challenges of the case and the importance of fighting for justice. He described how this case was unique because, unlike many other instances of Klan violence where victims didn’t survive, these women were alive to share their stories. “When we had the women testifying in court, I asked them to step down and stand in front of the jury to show the marks left by the attack,” McLaughlin recalled.

The film not only highlighted the courage of these women but also sparked a conversation on how to honor their legacy. McLaughlin believes the best way to honor them is by creating a memorial at the federal courthouse. “When people go to federal court to sue for their rights, they should see these women who fought back and won,” he said. “I don’t want a memorial where they were shot—I want a memorial where they fought back and won.”

The call for a memorial continues to inspire conversations about the women’s bravery and the impact of their victory.