The Black Legion

This episode explores the tumultuous offshoot of the Ku Klux Klan, The Black Legion, which emerged in the Midwest during the 1920s and promoted violence against marginalized groups, including African Americans, Catholics, and Jews. At its peak between 1933 and 1936, the organization carried out acts of arson and murder, often targeting union members and others they labeled undesirable. Public outrage following the 1936 murder of Charles Poole triggered a major investigation that led to the conviction of several members, ultimately contributing to the group’s collapse. The Black Legion’s actions in Michigan remain a stark reminder of the destructive impact of extremist ideologies and hate-driven violence on communities.

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Produced by Michigan History Magazine