"We look to protect Jews and blacks, anyone who walks the street in peace," he said, adding that he was not against the joint patrols.

Congress passed strong laws after the Civil War to protect newly freed blacks.

And after slavery ended, the white South imposed segregation "to protect blacks."

The militants said they were there to protect blacks from the Klan.

The statute was long thought to protect blacks only against official discrimination.

In addition to helping slaves escape to Canada, the members also helped to protect free blacks in Indiana.

He argued that the country's racism statute, used mostly to protect blacks, did not apply to Jews because they are not a race.

He warns that the immutability of race failed to protect blacks from being "demonized as sexual sinners."

Mr. Briggs wants to protect American-born blacks from unfair economic competition.

"It's an outrage to say this city does less to protect blacks than it does whites," he said.