Remembering the Chattanooga Five: Courage in the Face of Hate
Photo Credit: Local 3 News
As we celebrate Women’s History Month and reflect on the incredible legacies of women who have shaped our world, it's important to look locally. Viola Ellison, Lela Mae Evans, Opal Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Fannie Mae Crumsey—known as the Chattanooga Five—may not be household names everywhere, but their courage and resilience changed history. Their fight for justice against the Ku Klux Klan not only impacted Chattanooga but also set a precedent for holding hate groups accountable nationwide.
Who were the Chattanooga Five?
On April 19, 1980, at the corner of MLK Blvd. and Douglas Street, four of the Chattanooga Five were brutally attacked by three klansmen in a drive-by shooting. The fifth woman, who was in her home nearby, was injured by shattered glass from the gunfire. The Klan members were arrested and tried by an all-white jury. The gunman was sentenced to nine months in jail but served only six, while the other two men involved were not charged at all. This trial sparked national outrage, drawing the attention of the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York City, where Attorney Randolph McLaughlin and his legal team decided to take on the case.
McLaughlin’s efforts resulted in the women receiving compensation under a Reconstruction-era law called the 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act. Originally enacted to combat racial violence in the post-Civil War South, this law provided a legal basis for holding the Klan accountable. The Chattanooga Five’s lawsuit led to the Klan being sued and banned from Chattanooga. This landmark case also set a precedent, inspiring similar lawsuits across the country that severely weakened the Klan’s financial resources and influence over time. The bravery of these women in demanding justice not only secured their own legal victory but also contributed to the broader dismantling of white supremacist organizations nationwide.
Chattanooga Today
Recent reports of Klan-affiliated flyers appearing in Chattanooga neighborhoods are a stark reminder that the battle against racial hate is far from over. The fear and division sown by hate groups still have the potential to take root if left unchecked. The Chattanooga Five’s story is a reminder to stand against hate in all forms.
Their fight was not just for themselves but for future generations. Their courage serves as both an inspiration and a call to action: to stand up against bigotry, challenge injustice, and ensure that hate has no place in our communities.
The LEgacy of the Chattanooga Five
In 2024, Viola Ellison, Lela Mae Evans, Opal Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Fannie Mae Crumsey’s legacy was brought to the big screen by an NAACP Image Award®-winning documentary short, “How To Sue The Klan: The Legacy of the Chattanooga Five”. Upon its release, this film saw local screenings in Chattanooga. You can learn more about this project at www.thecivilcase.com.
Emily Redden
Marketing & Communications Intern