KU KLUX KLAN RECRUITING IN FLORIDA

By R. A. Pearson

Residents of the Pinetree Gardens apartment complex in Titusville, Florida, awoke on the morning of February 3, 2009, to find Ku Klux Klan flyers, business cards, and other literature on their property. The Klan recruitment information had been placed on the homes and cars in the complex overnight.

Police have launched an investigation into the handouts which had a Bushnell address. The literature said, “Join the KKK and fight for race and nation!”

Emotions of residents at the complex ranged from fear to shock to anger. “We’re not interested in joining their group. We’re very happy for what we are and proud of what we are,” said a woman who did not want to be identified. Another woman said, “It’s very alarming. It's strange.”

Titusville police have stepped up patrols in the area.

Titusville is on the east coast of Florida near Orlando. City legend indicates the community’s name, formerly Sand Point, was decided upon during a dominoes match between Confederate Col. Henry T. Titus and a Capt. Clark Rice to determine which player got to rename the town in 1873. Col. Titus won the game, and the town now carries his name.

Another Florida community saw Klan activity during the same week. On February 7, Fruitland Park Police Chief Mark Isom indicated James Elkins, a 28-year old police officer on this force, had resigned in January. The department had launched an internal investigation following reports that Elkins was distributing fliers promoting the Ku Klux Klan. The police chief said Elkins’ involvement with the Klan occurred while he was on leave after he was in a car wreck while on duty. Fruitland Park is a Central Florida community south of Ocala in Lake County.

Law enforcement indicated they have possession of photos of Elkins in Klan attire and are trying to identify the other members of the group. Elkins admits he is in the photos, but he is the only law enforcement officer in the pictures. He indicated to one on-camera interview, “In regards to that picture, the only thing I will say about it, regards to the particular group that I was involved in, I am not the only law enforcement who is or was involved in it.” Elkins also insists he has disassociated himself from the Ku Klux Klan.

Police Chief Isom said the department didn’t find any indications that Elkins was racially profiling motorists.

At the same time the Ku Klux Klan was recruiting in the Sunshine State, a former Klansman was apologizing for an attack some 48 years ago in Rock Hill South Carolina.

Elwin Wilson was an unabashed racist and klansman who joined a gang of thugs at the Rock Hill bus station during a protest in 1961. He helped attacked John Lewis, a young civil rights leader, who was severely injured and left bloodied on the ground. On February 6, Wilson apologized to Lewis, now a congressman from Atlanta, Georgia, on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” The two men were interviewed on several newscasts later in the week.

After the traditional, Wilson to Lewis, “I am so sorry,” and the “I forgive you,” Lewis to Wilson, the interview went on to the event in 1961 and the place of racism in America then and today. Wilson said, “If just one person comes forward and gets the hate out of their heart, it's all worth it. But I hope there will be a bunch of people. Life's short and we all go to the same place when we die.” He also indicated, “I never dreamed that a man that I had assaulted, that he would ever be a congressman and that I’d ever see him again. He and everybody up there in his office, they were just good people, treated you right and all.”

Lewis and Wilson said they hoped Wilson’s quest for redemption will inspire others who took part in civil rights-era violence to come forward and help heal wounds from the struggle over integration.

Meanwhile, halfway around the world, the Ku Klux Klan is looking to make inroads in New Zealand.

Johnny Lee Clary, a former imperial wizard, the highest-ranked member of the Ku Klux Klan, now fights against the Klan as a born-again Christian. Clary has told New Zealand news media his internal Klan contacts have informed him that Klan recruitment literature and paraphernalia is being distributed in Auckland to recruit young members. He also indicates there is a Ku Klux Klan leader in Auckland.

Clary warned the organization was targeting young people from poor socioeconomic backgrounds indicating, “They don't go where people are happy with money in their pocket. They pick on the poor, the miserable, the down and out.” He said the global financial crisis was causing problems all around the globe.

Clary also pointed out the American financial crisis and political change, such as the election of President Obama, were fuelling Klan membership in the United States for the first time in decades.

At one recent rally in Alabama, more than 300 people signed up, a number he said was “unprecedented.” Online registrations had also increased, largely triggered by President Obama’s election, according to Clary and his sources.

Editor's Note: Rev. Johnny Lee Clary, now 49, left the Ku Klux Klan 20 years ago and now travels the world to speak publicly against racism. At one time he was a body guard to David Duke. He says, “I will spend the rest of my life chipping away at that wall of hate.” His website is www.johnnyleeclary.com .