Gladney Lecturer at UA Speaks on KKK Lawsuit

leamer
Laurence Leamer

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Laurence Leamer, a New York Times bestselling author, will present the 13th Rose Gladney Lecture on Justice and Social Change at The University of Alabama at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Gorgas Library, room 205, on the UA campus.

He will discuss his new book, “The Lynching: The Epic Courtroom Battle That Brought Down the Klan.” The book details the aftermath of a Ku Klux Klan member being convicted of lynching 19-year-old Michael Donald. Morris Dees, a well-known civil rights lawyer and founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, sued the entire KKK organization for inciting and conspiring to cause this murder.

This civil trial’s $7 million judgment crippled the KKK and created a precedent in law: An organization that promotes hatred and violence is responsible for the hateful and violent acts of its members. The Southern Poverty Law Center has used this precedent in cases against hate groups.

“I hope members of the university and the community at large can join us for this interesting and timely presentation,” said Dr. Lynne Adrian, chair of the department of American studies.

Leamer’s book, released in June 2016, is his first on the civil rights movement. It has garnered rave reviews from The Washington Post, People and O, the Oprah Magazine.

The Rose Gladney Lecture on Justice and Social Change is sponsored by the department of American studies and is dedicated to Dr. Rose Gladney, an emeritus associate professor in the department who retired in 2003. The lecture series has hosted an interfaith leader, professors, an actress and other authors, all speaking on the subject of social justice, social change and civil rights.

 

Contact

Courtney Corbridge, courtney.a.corbridge@ua.edu, 205/348-8539

Source

Lynne Adrian, ladrian@ua.edu