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Permit Filed for Ku Klux Klan Rally in Memphis


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Updated: 2/16 8:03 am Published: 2/16 8:02 am
The Ku Klux Klan has filed a permit with the city to hold a protest rally over the renaming of Memphis parks. The permit, which requests a date of Saturday, March 30 at the steps of the Memphis Courthouse, has not yet been approved.

The KKK said that "thousands" were expected in the Bluff City to protest the Memphis City Council's decision to change the name of Forrest Park, named after Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate General in the Civil war and the first Grand Wizard of the KKK.

The park's name was temporarily changed to 'Health Sciences Park' in response to proposed state legislation that would prohibit the renaming of any park named after a war figure.

Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong has said although he wished the Klan would not rally in Memphis, his officers would protect them. "They have the right to voice their opinions and they have a right to freedom of speech like any other citizens," he said.

But, Armstrong added, "I think this group representing the KKK made their intentions known to go armed during this demonstration, which concerns us greatly."

The Ku Klux Klan last held a rally in Memphis on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 1998, which ended with Memphis Police firing tear gas into the crowd to stop protestors from advancing on KKK members.

"Edward", an Exalted Cyclops for the KKK in the Mid-South, told ABC 24, "We plan on making a statement, we are going to come big and we are going to come strong."

The city has 10 days to respond to the permit application.
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Leatherneck - 2/18/2013 1:47 PM
0 Votes
Well somehow my comment got deleted. I guess I put something in there about someone using the "N" word. FAUX 16 at it's best.

Lizabeth - 2/17/2013 10:45 PM
0 Votes
They have made it known some or all will be armed. How many have permits or are they using the ole grandfather act for the permit! Who knows and who believes people with that kind of attitude? They are just attention getters everywhere they go. Its probably just as bad in their own area that they dwell. They are the Captains of their life or family for sure. I don't think they should be allowed a permit any where. Everyone knows they are up to no good everywhere they go. There past actions should be enough to turn them down plus making known they will be armed. Why don't they just meet& be broadcasted on News Channel? That way no body will be in harms way but the ones at the station. Everyone in the world would be aware of them and what they want to say. It is not right for the government to put anyone in harm from these people or anyone else. I am sure not many people are afraid of them but its the idea that it is probably going to be allowed. These people can be as harmful and evil as any terrorist that has come into USA and done like they did. There is more crimes from hate than any other crime committed in the world today. All of these people of all ages and all races and genders that come up disappearing and if found murdered. What is to say it is not from these hate groups? So what if they do retaliate from not getting their way? So what? Isn't that what happens with the behavior of a person that doesn't get their way? There is a lot of room in jails until they go to prison. There are a lot of citizens that will help the law up against these people or any other person or group that does evil or no good. Honestly anyone that has hate in their heart for anyone is sick and needs psychiatric help and then needs to give examples of living a godly life. They are just a disgrace to their family, friends, and society. I am sure not all their acquaintances are in their hate group or know that they are who they pretend to be or actually are. Peace & Love

Layla37 - 2/17/2013 11:07 AM
3 Votes
I fully agree with Charlie C and WTH501. As I said on the other post regarding this matter, the KKK is nothing but a hate group and none of their rallies have been positive. I don't condone any hate groups White or black. The USA again was founded by non-whites and the USA is and always be a diverse union. Wish we could get all get past the color of skin. That will never happen

charlie c - 2/17/2013 6:48 AM
5 Votes
I see remarks about the clan by many here. I grew up during the time when Martin Luther King was fighting for the rights of blacks. Today he would be proud. And at the same time would slap the face of people like Al the pimp Sharpton, Jessie the bigot Jackson. My meaning is this......MLK fought for the right to eat in a restaurant,wash their cloth in the same laundry mat, drink from the same water founton, ride on any means of transport with any seat,have their children educated in the same schools. and today blacks have all these rights. But today you want more rights, you want pay back from days gone by, you want pay back from slavery days, something you know absolutely nothing about. It was before your time. I am not afraid of the clan and they do have their rights as well. So you people get over it and quit trying to be better than one another!!!!!

graytonghost - 2/17/2013 6:08 AM
0 Votes
itsjustme% on the mark, like I said before, it shows PI$$ poor journalism to even promote this just to stir up more crap. There are a lot of other newsworthy stories out there for the ghetto station to spend time on

itsmenotyou - 2/16/2013 10:41 PM
0 Votes
Oh by the way ITSJUSTME for once i agree with you 100%

itsmenotyou - 2/16/2013 9:44 PM
0 Votes
There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, etc. And then there are just Americans. You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you.. so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live? You have the United Negro College Fund. You have Martin Luther King Day. You have Black History Month. You have Cesar Chavez Day. You have Yom Hashoah. You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi. You have the NAACP. You have BET. If we had WET (White Entertainment Television), we'd be racists. If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists. If we had White History Month, we'd be racists. If we had any organization for only whites to 'advance' OUR lives, we'd be racists. We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce. Wonder who pays for that?? A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant. If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships... You know we'd be racists. There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US ... Yet if there were 'White colleges', that would be a racist college. In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists. You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists. You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist. I am proud...... But you call me a racist. Why is it that only whites can be racists?? There is nothing improper about this message.. Let's see which of you are proud enough to send it on. I sadly don't think many will.

Butch54 - 2/16/2013 6:48 PM
5 Votes
KKK, AL, and Jessie are all the same. Cowardly punks that make their living spreading hate. Put them all in a paper bag, give them a good shake, what do you have. Nothing more than a popcorn fart in a whirl wind.

wth501 - 2/16/2013 6:13 PM
2 Votes
The people of Memphis are the ones who care. Why would they want a hate group in their city that's known for killing blacks and burning down their homes. And yes some of you do pitch a fit when the NAACP is in town. I think you're one of them. I see you whining about NAACP,J J, and Rev. Sharpton all the time. They have never killed a white man so I know its just racism. The city of Memphis has made the right decision on renaming that park. Not only does having a park named after a kkk member make the city and state look bad. Its also bad for the future of America. I know the people of Memphis will be ready for that joke of an orginazation.

GOwens - 2/16/2013 5:40 PM
4 Votes
If no one paid any attention (by not showing up) to a bunch of racist cowards dressed in bed sheets to hide their identity, they would lose any form of legitimacy. Of course that would have to include the media. Also, since the KKK has made it known that they intend to be armed, their permit to protest should be denied for the safety of the public. The Director of Public Safety, Toney Armstrong, should tell ol' One Eye, to stay home and use their bedsheets for something more useful
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