March 6

On this day in 1964, Rudolf "Rudy" Carter, a white shopkeeper from Shreveport, LA was participating in a time-honored white pride ceremony, in front of a Baptist church in a predominantly black section of town. His white robe and hood caught a spark from the "bonfire," setting him aflame. On seeing the fire from his window, Pastor Delroy Williams ran outside and directed an open hose at the burning man to put out the flames, while Mrs. Williams called both the police and fire department to report the need for EMTs. Unfortunately, emergency response time to this community was notoriously longer than to other parts of the county, and Rudy sustained fourth degree burns over 75% of his body, disfiguring him for life. Rudy sued Pastor Williams for his intervention. A Louisiana judge ordered the Pastor to pay damages in the amount of $15,000.