ATHENS — A representative of the NAACP came before the Athens City Council Monday to commend Mayor Dan Williams for publicly telling the Ku Klux Klan they are not wanted in this community.
The Klan had applied for a permit to rally Saturday on the lawn of the Limestone County Courthouse. Williams said he could not grant a permit for the courthouse because the city does not control that property.
Further, in a News Courier story, Williams stated that the Klan is a “hate group” and that the city did not “need their help with immigration problems.”
However, County Commission Chairman David Seibert refused to grant them permission to use the courthouse to hold a rally against illegal immigration.
Athens Police Chief Wayne Harper said the Klan had also wanted to rally at the same time as the Trail of Tears motorcycle ride through Athens. But, he said all manpower would be needed for traffic control for the ride.
Representatives of the Klan vowed they would come to Athens anyway. Through several conversations between city officials and the Klan, its leaders agreed to come at 3 p.m., instead of the morning as originally planned, and to rally on the lawn of City Hall.
When word went out that the Klan had obtained their rally permit, three local churches, First Methodist, First Presbyterian and St. Timothy’s Episcopal said their congregations would come out in “silent witness” against the Klan’s message of separation.
“The Klan is a terrorist organization,” said NAACP representative Kenny Brinkley. “I know that they have the right of freedom of speech and assembly like anyone else, and that they now call themselves a Christian organization, but my concern is how did we get ourselves so entangled, how did we get to this point after so much progress? We need to stand against this group like we’d stand against al Qaida.”
Council President Harold Wales agreed, “We don’t need them in our city—they have no place here.”
The mayor said the Klan would be in violation if they came without a permit, but they had obtained one and were abiding by city ordinances.
“I have told them we don’t want them here and we don’t need their help with illegal immigration,” said Williams. “I have talked to the local ministerial association and they are planning a silent protest.”
Councilwoman Milly Caudle said she prefers that everyone ignore the Klan, but she knows that is not going to happen.
“I am a great defender of freedom of speech,” said Caudle. “But I don’t know anyone who thinks the KKK should come to our town. The city churches are to be commended. I, for one, will be there for their ‘love-in.’”
Brinkley turned to Williams and said he was proud.
“I have not had many opportunities to say this, but I am proud of this city,” said Brinkley. “As Christians, we must be able to live at peace with all men.”
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