September 14th, 1992. Geraldo Rivera on his namesake talk show brings us to the site of a KKK rally — other hate groups are also represented — in Janesville, Wisconsin.. This segment begins on the thin blue line between the white supremacists and the counter-protestors.
“This is what you do when you stand up for your rights…there he is, Geraldo Rivera…I’m getting arrested for nothing I gave a speech…we ran…I get arrested”
We learn that Arthur Jones of the America First Committee was already arrested at this event for a prior assault. Making his way through the supremacists Geraldo talks to Ken Petersen, a local knight of the KKK. Towards the end of this conversation a man insults and strikes Geraldo, provoking a fight that ends with both arrested.
The prosecutor in Janesville later determined Geraldo was acting in privileged self-defense and the initial charge of battery was dropped. John McLaughlin of Illinois, the man who instigated, was charged with disorderly conduct.
This day, Geraldo’s television history.