A chapter of the Ku Klux Klan wants to tidy up a stretch of roadway in Georgia, creating a legal dilemma for transportation officials considering the supremacy group’s “adopt a highway” application.
The state of Missouri rejected a similar request in 1997, stating that the KKK’s membership rules were racially discriminatory – but a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the Klan and the Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
If Georgia denies the Klan’s latest highway application, the group won’t hesitate to seek legal action, said Harley Hanson, who goes by the formal title of Exalted Cyclops of the Union County Klan.
“We’re not going to be deterred,” Hanson said.
Under adopt-a-highway programs, groups volunteer to clean up trash and plant trees along the roadways. Road signs are usually erected to recognize the groups’ efforts.
Georgia Department of Transportation spokeswoman Jill Goldberg declined to comment on the Klan highway application “until a resolution is determined.”
State Rep. Tyrone Brooks, a black Atlanta legislator, said that Georgia’s program limits participation to “civic minded” groups.
“My God, when you say that the Ku Klux Klan is now being considered in that category, it stretches the imagination,” Brooks said.
Georgia should fight the Klan’s highway application in the legal system and, if it loses, “I think you might want to end the program,” Brooks said.
Hanson said the KKK just wants to help the community by picking up trash.
“Our intentions are to keep the road clean,” he said. “We love our race. We don’t promote violence.”
What do you think? Should the Klan be able to adopt a highway?
Related articles
- KKK group seeks Adopt-A-Highway OK (ajc.com)
- KKK Chapter Wants to Adopt Stretch of Highway (fox8.com)
- KKK Group Aims to Adopt Highway for Litter Control (abcnews.go.com)
- Ku Klux Klan Wants To Adopt Georgia Highway (inquisitr.com)
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