Klan group opposes Cullman KKK rally

CULLMAN (AP) — Members of one Ku Klux Klan organization say they will assemble at the courthouse Nov. 10 to show their opposition to another Klan group that plans an anti-immigration rally there that day.

Ken Mier, who described himself as an investigator for the Alabama Ku Klux Klan and the national office of the Ku Klux Klan LLC, said his group is against the tactics of the National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, which held an anti-immigration protest last month in Athens.

“We are opposed to the ignorance and stupidity as displayed by the individuals that thumbed their nose at the area churches by continuing to use racial slurs, threats and avoided Christian deportment,” he said.

Mier said his group was part of a silent protest at the Indiana-based National Knights’ rally held in Athens in September. He said his organization also was disgusted that the National Knights would interfere with the Trail of Tears ride.

At the Athens protest, held several hours after thousands of motorcyclists traveled through the city on the annual Trail of Tears ride, several Klan members gave anti-immigration speeches, while several hundred people, some from area churches, protested the Klan activity.

The Cullman City Council has approved a permit for the National Knights to protest outside the courthouse Nov. 10. Cullman Mayor Donald Green said the second Klan group would have to get a permit, too.

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