Seven Indicted for Roles in Attack on Georgia Civil Rights Marchers

Seven whites were indicted Tuesday for their roles in an attack on civil rights demonstrators who were pelted with rocks and debris when they marched last month through a county where no blacks live.

The seven were among an estimated 400 Ku Klux Klan members and their supporters who demonstrated Jan. 17 against about 75 marchers being led through Forsyth County by civil rights activist the Rev. Hosea Williams.

The charges came as Williams, arrested Monday while picketing a television talk show, was released from county jail. He had said he would stay in jail indefinitely, but changed his mind and posted bond.

The indictments unsealed Tuesday were returned Monday by a 23-member Forsyth County grand jury. Prosecutor Rafe Banks said most of the charges were misdemeanors, but several men were charged with obstruction of an officer, which is a felony.

The seven were to be arraigned today, Banks said.

The Jan. 17 march was followed Jan. 24 by a larger demonstration in which Williams and other civil rights leaders led 20,000 marchers into the county and were met by 1,500 counterdemonstrators.