The Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871 was one of several laws passed to enforce the 14th and 15th Amendments. Those amendments guaranteed equal rights for all citizens and the vote for all male citizens of voting age. The Klan and other white terrorist groups were using unspeakable terror to prevent the exercise of these rights. The newly created Department of Justice sent federal prosecutors and law enforcement down south and quickly (and all too briefly) shut down the Klan and their fellow travelers using a law designed for that purpose.

At the time it was passed, the law was intended to protect Black people and members of Congress from being terrorized by the KKK. The KKK had particularly been known to use threats, assaults and destruction to influence elections and intimidate White Republicans who were attempting to participate in the reunited National Congress. The group also sought to reverse and block Reconstruction-era activities in the South that gave Black people political power and civil rights.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/17/politics/ku-klux-klan-act-lawsuit-trump/index.html

The post-January 6th case against Trump by members of Congress under the Ku Klux Klan Act continues, the judge ruling recently that Trumpie is a proper party to haul into court under the KKK Act. Fitting, and also, proper. If the klu (klux) fits, wear it, orange boy.

In related news, the Emmett Till Anti-lyncing Act will become law, now that Rand Paul, who apparently staged a one man filibuster the last time the bill was brought up for debate, has joined a unanimous Senate vote to send the bill to Joe Biden for signature.  Who says incremental change isn’t just the fucking greatest?  Sarah Lazurus puts it in perspective:

Congress has given final approval to the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, which will make lynching a federal hate crime after only 200 other attempts.