“Stop the Hate” Community Engagement in Los Angeles
City Pride Magazine held a screening of the documentary “How to Sue the Klan” on December 19th at their Los Angeles Media Center. This film was presented to raise awareness about the history of hate and how to combat hate organizations through civil lawsuits.
On April 19, 1980, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, five Black women—Viola Ellison, Lela Evans, Opal Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Fannie Mae Crumsey—were waiting for a taxi when three local Klansmen drove by and opened fire on them. The men shot from an open window with shotguns, seriously injuring the five elderly women. The documentary “How to Sue the Klan”, chronicles how the Chattanooga Five sought justice by suing the Ku Klux Klan in a landmark civil case in 1982. In the associated criminal case, the three Klansmen were arrested and tried, but an all-white jury acquitted two of them. The third man received a nine-month jail sentence and served just six months.
This film details the women’s fight in court to hold their attackers accountable for their crimes and to bring justice to their community. It sheds light on a hateful incident that went largely unrecognized, even by many residents of Chattanooga. For years, the story was kept quiet despite the victims being awarded $500,000. The documentary features reports and testimonies from the victims and the attorneys who diligently pursued the case. The Chattanooga Five displayed remarkable courage in their struggle for justice. This film honors their legacy and highlights the precedent they set by winning a civil case against the KKK, inspiring similar efforts nationwide.
Produced by Cameron Mitchell and prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, the documentary contributes to the growing Stop the Hate movement and provides valuable insight into the history of the fight against hate. There was a very engaging Q&A after the film screening, and many of the viewers were, of course, disturbed by the film’s content. The incident was a violent and horrible event that was beyond imagination. The deranged perpetrators not only committed a hideous act, but they got away with committing this crime. They walked away from the attempted murder of five elderly women, and one man spent a total of 6 months in jail. Even though the women won the lawsuit, four of the women died without receiving a dime of the judgment. The Klan only paid $500 of the judgment.
The audience at the screening was about 80% elderly Black women, and needless to say, they were upset, but with courage and dignity, they acted extremely civil during the Q&A. Producer of the film Cameron Mitchell joined the audience for the Q&A and was very informative about the making of the film and the input of Attorney Ben Crump.
Cameron S. Mitchell executive produced the Amazon Original comedy special Zarna Garg: One In A Billion, producer of the multi-award winning short film, HOW TO SUE THE KLAN, & independent movie THE WATERBOYZ is streaming now. He packaged and produced two Emmy nominated documentaries, one of which won an NAACP IMAGE Award for Outstanding Documentary, Emmy nominated Best Documentary (CIVIL) at NETFLIX. The other was called (WOMAN IN MOTION) at Paramount + CBS, nominated for an Emmy (Best Original Song). He also Executive Produced Sommore: The Queen Stands Alone (Comedy Central). As the first Black male representative to become a member of the prestigious Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Mitchell has made a significant impact on the industry. With over 20 years of experience, he has packaged more than 60 films and TV projects, with seven trips to the Oscars resulting in 3 wins for creatives of color. Mitchell did so as a motion picture packaging agent at CAA and had a stint at ICM.
After college and working a short stint at The White House, he represented photographers for 3 years. He then switched mediums to begin the UTA training program, and 20 years going demonstrates his commitment to making an impact through Art + Media, Social Justice, and Civil Rights.
Mitchell’s passion for the arts began at a young age, growing up as a child at The Kennedy Center, where he cultivated his taste and love for the arts. As a husband and father of two, he brings a unique perspective to the industry and is focused on making a difference.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
