1. The Deacons for Defense and Justice
Formed in 1964 in Louisiana, the Deacons for Defense and Justice were a pioneering force in armed Black self-defense. Comprised mainly of war veterans, they organized patrols to shield civil rights activists and local families from Ku Klux Klan terror. When law enforcement looked the other way, the Deacons stepped in, making it clear that violence and intimidation would not go unanswered. Their presence not only safeguarded communities, but also drew federal scrutiny to rampant injustice (via History.com).
