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Sons Of Confederate Veterans Against KKK Rally in Memphis


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Updated: 2/17 10:10 am Published: 2/17 10:07 am
The Sons of Confederate Veterans say they're upset with the Ku Klux Klan and are against their rally planned for downtown Memphis.

"I'm afraid that a counter rally or an anti Klan rally from other elements in the city might show up and the situation might turn into a riot or something ugly as it has before. So we would prefer that the Klan not come to Memphis," said spokesman for Sons of Confederate Veterans Lee Millar.

Lee Millar is against the KKK's planned rally on March 30th. The Klan is upset over the re-naming Nathan Bedford Forrest park along with two others.

"I mean let's face it Forrest was sort of an anti-hero in civil war but he was also a mean slave owner from what I have read and understood so me personally I would ignore them," said Memphis resident Fred Vannucci.

The Klan's last rally, in January 1998 ended in violence. Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said his team is preparing for an even bigger crowd this time around.

"We're expecting those who support the KKK. Were expecting large crowds of those that oppose the views of the KKK. With that said again we'll prepare for the worst and pray for the best," said Toney Armstrong.

Lee Millar may be against the KKK's planned rally but he's also upset with the city council.

"The city council needs to leave the parks alone, they've got more important things to do. These are 100 year old historic parks. They need to leave the names alone. By changing them, their bringing a lot of rage among the citizens of Memphis and drawing personal attention and negative attention to Memphis trying to erase history," said Lee Millar.

Meanwhile the Klan has already applied for a permit putting Klan members one step closer to their rally.

"I don't plan to attend the march I've got things to do, more important things," said Memphis resident Joyce Harris.

"You just have to adapt to them, you either accept them for who they are or you don't and you move on with your life," said Memphis resident Zac Walls.

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of FOX16 - Breaking News and Weather to Plan Your Day for Little Rock and Central Arkansas

Think4Urself - 2/18/2013 10:54 PM
0 Votes
Just got a laptop with Windows 8 and Win8 sucks, just like this topic.

ArkansasYankee - 2/18/2013 8:05 PM
2 Votes
Been studying American history since I learned to read. And now I'm being told the "white man" did not create the US of A! Funny that. Most of the men on the Continental Congress were white. 80 percent of the NORTHERN Continental Army were white. Georgia and South Carolina refused to allow blacks in their militia. Where do you get your info? Feel good classes? I guess you can rewrite history, but that still won't make it true! Moonrose; Where are you getting your info? Many Native American tribes bred with women from other tribes, and with white women - women captured in raids. My first wife's father was one quarter Native American. A friend of mine here in Jax looks white, but has Cherokee blood in her. The Apache took white and hispanic women in raids, and had children with them. I'm a big fan of the great Sioux Nation, and the Apache tribes. The Quapaw were the southern most tribe of the Sioux, right here in AR. I'm with J.D. Blackfoot; I hope this land is returned to it's rightful owners someday! Long live the Lakota! What was this story about? Oh, the KKK. Idiots that still live in the past, just like a lot of people out there that were "slaves". Give it a rest people; slavery and the war ended in 1865; doubt if many of you were aruond then. As for you "purists"; me, I'm pure - made in His Image! How's that for pure!

itmejudyj - 2/18/2013 10:33 AM
2 Votes
I cannot stand being around racist people. My husband just so happens to be racist. He denies it but even my kids say he's racist bc of his attitude. It irks me how racist people act. We have good people of every race and we have trashy people, ghetto people of every race. Stop being racist!!

Layla37 - 2/18/2013 9:38 AM
1 Vote
@wth501...thanks for your response. I agree with your post and feel the same way

Layla37 - 2/18/2013 9:31 AM
0 Votes
@Moonrose...I said that its hard to find any pure. I also lived in New Mexico for 13 yrs. New Mexico is native land. There are several native tribes in NM. I have many native friends who have dated, married nd or have children that are interacial with othe tribes or ethnic backgrounds. Besides, I am not going to debate this with you, pointless to do so. My post was to state that ournation was not founded by "the white man" I think the KKK are a joke as well as other hate groups.

Layla37 - 2/18/2013 9:25 AM
0 Votes
@MOONROSE...I stated that its hard to find "on solid race" in any of us. I lived in New Mexico for 13 yrs and New Mexico s all native land mind you. I've been to many "Gathering of Nation" ceremonies and have many native friends. There are a lot of natives that date, marry and have children with other tribes and or race. Either way, all my comment was implying, is that our nation was not founded by "the white man" and we are a diverse union. I'm against hate groups....I love and respect all race and ethnics

wpsark - 2/18/2013 9:22 AM
0 Votes
Ignoring their whole rally would be the best protest against them.

OnlyG0dCnJgeMe - 2/18/2013 8:49 AM
1 Vote
I applaud memphis for their step in a new direction but rather sad but not surprising it took this long. Personally I feel its nothing more than a distraction which could end with some interesting results. If this werent in the news it wouldnt be relevant

itsjustme - 2/18/2013 6:05 AM
2 Votes
I dont want the NAACP or any other group to kiss my ass. The NAACP is full of racism and instead of working WITH other races to end racism, they are AGAINST other races. They segregate the black race from all other races, yet they want equality. Like I said, all of these groups are a bunch of losers.

wth501 - 2/18/2013 5:40 AM
1 Vote
@Layla37 I saw your post and I also agree with you.That so called protest will turn ugly.One would think that our fellow Americans(knowing the history of those monsters) would have the common sense and decency to know this sh** is not right.I always get in trouble thinking that everyone was raised like me.My parents taught me to love and respect everyone.I dont care about a color.I love the blackest of the black to palest white skin.As long as you respect me. And I do go by that old saying.Treat others as you want to be treated.Im sad to say that most of the commentors here are total opposite. You know the kind that would kick a man when he's down type of person.I noticed alot of whining about other hate groups and I do not approve of them either.But this story is not about the black panthers thats why I didnt mention them.@itsjustme Just because you dont like the NAACP does not make them a hate group.As a matter of fact just because a black person dont kiss your white a$$ doesnt make them racist o.k.I dont kiss a$$ black or white.No racism here.And I still say that renaming the park was a great idea.The U.S. is moving forward people.There is no one special race anymore.We have a lot of beautiful people black,white and brown.Either get with the program or keep living in the past wishing things were like it was a 100 yrs ago.
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