The Ku Klux Klan (KKK), a white supremacist group with a history spanning over a century, finds itself once again in the spotlight as it reignites racial tensions across northern Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. Recently, the KKK has been distributing flyers filled with hate rhetoric, causing unrest in these communities. The Trinity White Knights, a faction of the KKK, has established their "national office" using a post office box in Maysville, Kentucky. This surge in activity has not gone unnoticed by local authorities and the FBI, who have identified a key recruiter near Maysville. In response to this growing threat, communities have expressed defiance and resilience.
In recent weeks, the KKK has intensified its campaign by distributing flyers in Indiana and east Tennessee. A gathering of KKK members took place in northern Indiana last Saturday, signaling an organized effort to spread their message. Springfield, Ohio, has been particularly targeted, with flyers distributed in predominantly African American neighborhoods. This activity has prompted the city of Springfield to sue Blood Tribe, a neo-Nazi hate group, for unspecified damages.
The KKK's actions have left a trail of consequences. Bomb threats linked to the group led to school and office closures in Dayton, Ohio, following a May 2019 rally that cost the city $650,000 in police expenses. The group's rhetoric echoes that of the 1920s, aligning themselves with contemporary national messaging on immigration and other issues.
“We know this individual is in our area; we have spoken with him, and I’ve brought in the FBI to speak with this individual to talk to him about the flyers,” – Mayor of Springfield
Local authorities have been proactive in addressing the situation. The mayor of Springfield confirmed that law enforcement had engaged with the recruiter involved in distributing the flyers. Despite these efforts, the challenges persist.
“If you can catch him throwing the papers on the ground you could probably cite him for littering, but that’s it.” – Mayor of Springfield
In Maysville, where the Trinity White Knights operate from a post office box, community leaders expressed their concerns.
“I don’t agree with promoting the negative aspect of what he’s putting out here. He’s using a PO box here in town to promote a negative message that we don’t condone, but he is also versed in his first amendment rights,” – Michael Palmer, Maysville’s chief of police
“We do not appreciate it in this city. We have a very good community. We do not support it at all.” – Michael Palmer, Maysville’s chief of police
While legal constraints limit the actions authorities can take against such activities, police remain vigilant.
“He’s been here for a long time; this is nothing new,” – Michael Palmer, Maysville’s chief of police
The KKK's recruitment efforts have drawn attention from organizations tracking extremist groups.
“Recruitment is one of the major things that they are about. Extremist groups love the idea of growing, whether it’s the Klan or anyone else. They love attention,” – Senior Research Analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center
Their tactics have evolved to align with rhetoric at national levels.
“But they also have their finger on the pulse. Right after [Trump] spoke about people eating dogs and cats, the [Trinity White Knights] started flyering in Memphis and Chattanooga [in Tennessee] about deportations… On some level, they are trying to associate themselves with the messaging that’s going on today but was common in the 1920s.” – Senior Research Analyst at the Southern Poverty Law Center
Despite these challenges, community leaders remain defiant.
“There is outrage [but] the community is empowered. They have made specific demands to legislators. We are not afraid or intimidated by their threats,” – Treva Reid
“We will not be silenced or disturbed by these groups [attempting to] terrorize our community. We will not allow any of these to undermine our progress. We need to unify.” – Treva Reid
In addition to distributing flyers, there are recorded voicemails urging individuals to join their cause against various groups.
“Come stand with us and help fight illegal immigration, homosexuality, and every other form of wickedness and lawlessness,” – Recorded voicemail on the phone number printed on the flyers
Residents like Bobbie Brothers express their frustration over the presence of such groups.
“I would prefer that it was not here; I would prefer that it was not anywhere. I would like to think that they don’t even exist,” – Bobbie Brothers
However, addressing these issues proves legally challenging.
“It’d be nice if [the police] could shut down [the post office box] but I doubt that they can.” – Bobbie Brothers