08/02/2025
They DO NOT want you to know about this.
Battle of Athens
The Battle of Athens (sometimes called the McMinn County War) was a rebellion led by citizens in Athens and Etowah, Tennessee, against the local government on 1-2 August 1946. The citizens, including some World War II veterans, accused the local officials of predatory policing, police brutality, political corruption, and voter intimidation.
A group calling itself the GI Non-partisan League ran a slate of candidates for various county and city offices in opposition to the established political machine of the democrat party. The League also sent members to the various polling places to act as poll watchers,
The poll watchers observed numerous violations of election law including the harassment of colored voters, some not being allowed to vote, and the allowance of probable (due to being underaged) unqualifeid voters. When League poll watchers complained about these violations many were arrested and taken to the county jail and the widespread beleif was that they were being kept as hostages.
Armed deputies, many deputized just prior to elections and many were from out of state, were at all polling places in large numbers.
Hearing of the violations and the arrest of their fellows the GI Non-partisan League gathered and armed themselves and proceeded to the jail to attempt to secure the release of those taken into custody. Due to the size of the group the majority of county officials took refuge at the jail and they took the ballot boxes with them.
As the GI League approached the jail those inside began opening fire on them, the league members took cover in nearby buildings and returned fire. They demanded the surrender of the officials and the release of the ballot boxes and hostages. As a result of the action a seige ensued.
Bill White, the leader of the GI League made hourly demands for the surrender of the officials and release of the ballots and hostages but were met with gunfire in response. In the night hours the GI League began setting off dynamite charges to breach the jail and though the attempt was unsuccessful the officials surrendered at around 3:30 am local time.
When the league was finally able to examine the ballots many were found to have been improperly marked in support of the county officials. Once the ballots were properly counted and certifeid the GI League slate were declared elected to the various offices, including sherriff, and in the coming months many reforms were eneacted.
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