Belew 2018

Main Argument:

Intro:

Chapter 2: Building the Underground

Louis Beam in 1977 purchased 50 acres of swampland using the Texas Veterans Land Board Grant
He created a training facility which transformed Klansmen into Soldiers
- Curating a paramilitary that was unified by a white power movement, would implement various methods to target undocumented immigrants such as a Klan border watch
Southern Poverty Law Center banned paramilitary training, further fueled this movement
Shared acts of violence, such as the harassment of Vietnamese refugees tied members together to share a common purpose

Beams Creation of His Own Group

In 1968, he joined the United Klans of America, but left due to the governments interference
He searched for other opportunities, exploring five options, but they each had a problem that made them not desirable to join according to Beam
Instead he created his own group
The Vietnam war was utilized as the basis of his actions and narrative
- He believed the war wasn't over when he returned home in America, which he used as a excuse for his violent actions
In 1975 he affiliated his independent Klan with the Knights of the Klu Klux Klan
- Managed by David Duke, claiming they did not advoate for the denial of minorty rights but the rights to only associate with white people
Although they put up a soft public front, they had several violent underground activities and violence was the basis of their ties; Beam even had kill zones throughout the US