greensboro kkk murders
By Mumbi Kanyogo
Content warning: murder, white supremacist violence
On November 3, 1979 in Greensboro, North Carolina, Ku Klux Klan and American Nazi Party members murdered five people at a “Death to Klan” protest.[1] Among the dead were Cesar Cauce, a Duke alumnus and Duke Hospital employee; and Michael Nathan, a Duke Medical School graduate.[2] A jury later acquitted six Klan defendants.[3] Duke’s Black Student Alliance and the United Duke Students Coalition protested the verdicts and called on the university to publicly express a “thoughtful, responsible reaction to the events in question.”[4] No statement was made despite Duke’s ties to two of the victims. The case later resulted in the first American Truth and Reconciliation Commission, held in Greensboro.[5]
[1]. The five individuals killed were Jim Waller, William Sampson, Cesar Cauce, Michael Nathan and Sandy Smith. Bands, Lou, “400-500 Rally Against Verdict,” The Herald, November 20, 1980, Associated Students of Duke University records, 1965-1993, Box 65.
[2]. Killian, Joe, “Nov. 3, 1979: A Day That Still Divides City.” Greensboro News & Record, January 25, 2015. http://www.greensboro.com/news/nov-a-day-that-still-divides-city/article_729b27d0-a316-11e4-9db0-4f4dd8dd7f09.html.
[3]. “Rally is forum for student outrage with trial verdict”, p.2, Duke Chronicle, November 19, 1980.
[4]. “A Resolution of the Associated Students of Duke University: Concerning the Greensboro Verdict,” 18 November 1980, Associated Students of Duke University records, 1965-1993, Klan and Nazi Activities folder, Box 65.
[5]. “The Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” available at http://www.greensborotrc.org/.
[2]. Killian, Joe, “Nov. 3, 1979: A Day That Still Divides City.” Greensboro News & Record, January 25, 2015. http://www.greensboro.com/news/nov-a-day-that-still-divides-city/article_729b27d0-a316-11e4-9db0-4f4dd8dd7f09.html.
[3]. “Rally is forum for student outrage with trial verdict”, p.2, Duke Chronicle, November 19, 1980.
[4]. “A Resolution of the Associated Students of Duke University: Concerning the Greensboro Verdict,” 18 November 1980, Associated Students of Duke University records, 1965-1993, Klan and Nazi Activities folder, Box 65.
[5]. “The Greensboro Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” available at http://www.greensborotrc.org/.