The warnings did not stop the rally.

By the time January 18 arrived, everyone involved knew the event could become dangerous.

The Klan came anyway.

The Lumbee came too.

Word Moves Through The Community

The Lumbee response did not depend on one centralized command.

Word spread through families, workplaces, gathering places, and community networks.

People understood what the Klan had been doing.

They understood what a public rally meant after the cross burnings.

And many decided that allowing the event to proceed without challenge would send the wrong message.