Morris Dees, Michael Figures, and Beulah Mae Donald

Beulah Mae Donald, mother of lynching victim Michael Donald, stands with her attorneys, Michael Figures (center) and Morris Dees (left). Donald's $7 million civil judgment against the Ku Klux Klan in 1987 for the lynching essentially bankrupted the organization. The case also established a legal precedent that such organizations could be held responsible for the actions of its members.

Michael Figures stands at a podium in front of several press microphones, with Morris Dees at his left and Beulah Mae Donald at his right.
Courtesy of the Mobile Press Register; printed with permission; all rights reserved
Michael Figures stands at a podium in front of several press microphones, with Morris Dees at his left and Beulah Mae Donald at his right.