On the day Donald Trump assumed office, a chilling message circulated through parts of Kentucky and Indiana in the form of Ku Klux Klan flyers. The flyers, featuring a cartoon of Uncle Sam kicking a family of five, including a baby and two young children, urged immigrants to "leave now." Bearing a Kentucky-area phone number and an invitation to "join us," these flyers have sparked outrage and investigation in affected communities.
In Kentucky, the flyers appeared in Fort Wright and Ludlow, with the local police describing them as "hateful garbage." The Bellevue police department reported a resident finding one on Monday, underscoring the concern that these messages were strategically distributed on inauguration day to coincide with heightened tensions around immigration policy. The listed phone number was found to be out of service by Wednesday morning, adding another layer of mystery to the incident.
The Ku Klux Klan, a notorious white supremacist group, has a long history of promoting hate and division. The resurgence of such propaganda is particularly alarming as it aligns with national rhetoric demonizing immigrants. President Trump has publicly vowed to implement "the largest deportation program in American history," adding fuel to the fire of these divisive tactics.
“We are aware and have already taken one report for this disturbing and disgusting KKK propaganda that is being passed around our community. This hateful garbage has been turning up in other cities as well,” – The police department in Ludlow, Kentucky
In nearby Indiana, similar flyers made an appearance back in November, suggesting a coordinated effort to spread these messages across state lines. The police in Kentucky are actively investigating the distribution of these flyers, seeking to uncover those responsible for spreading hate.
Local leaders have not remained silent on the issue. Fort Wright Mayor Dave Hatter issued a strong condemnation, stating:
“This type of hateful garbage is loathsome and deplorable, does not represent the Fort Wright community or the values of our businesses and residents, will not be tolerated in the city of Fort Wright and should not be tolerated by our society as a whole,” – Dave Hatter
In Ludlow, Jon McClain echoed the community's alarm:
“It was kind of alarming for our community.” – Jon McClain
The flyers also contained a call to action, urging recipients to monitor and report immigrants:
“We need your help. Monitor and track all immigrants. Report them all.” – The KKK