Test of Hate- Crime Laws But this particular cross burning has taken on many other meanings.

Cole told newspapers: "There's about 30,000 half-breeds up in Robeson County and we are going to have some cross burnings and scare them up".

The bias incidents generally involved cross burnings, the painting of swastikas or graffiti and racial or religious insults delivered in person, by telephone or in letters.

"We're speaking up for white people," said Michael Lightfoot, 19, a sometime meatpacker, who with a friend admitted to several recent cross burnings.

The cross burnings and the city's plans had the effect of bringing negative media attention to the city.

A recruiting drive in March 1961 featured simultaneous cross burnings throughout the South.

Not since the 1960's, when federal judges in the South were threatened by cross burnings and firebombs, have judges been so besieged.

Or just good old-fashioned cross burnings on the front lawn?

What about the jurors who've heard of the cross burnings?

The students did not originally understand what the cross burning signified since they were unaware of the significance behind American cross burnings.