Rare access to shameful relic from the past
You would be forgiven for thinking the Ku Klux Klan was a shameful relic from the the dark past, so it is hard to believe the KKK claim it is experiencing a boost in support in the United States following the election of Barack Obama.
7News has been granted rare access to one of the group’s secret meetings - but some readers may find the story below, and video above, confronting.
7News went to a small town in North Carolina to meet the Imperial Klaliff of the Loyal White Knights - the largest branch of the KKK.
The Klan, which many thought was long extinct, is enjoying something of a resurgence.
The Imperial Klaliff and three other Klansmen took Angela Cox and the 7News crew to a tobacco field.
They wear the regalia of the KKK with pride and insist the Klan has been misrepresented. They say the hate crimes of past generations were carried out by renegades.
Robert Jones, the Imperial Klaliff, said: “To most traditional klansmen, that wasn't a klan group that was more of a terrorist organization. We don't condone violence.
“The KKK is more of a civil rights organization fighting for equal rights for whites.”
Since Barack Obama became President of the United States, the Klan's numbers have jumped from a few hundred to about 5000
When asked how they feel that the most powerful man in America – and probably in the world – is African American, one replies: “That doesn't bother me at all look at this policies he's wrecking the country and I'm glad he's wrecking the country because I want a civil war.
They say they are not a hate group but it is a hard line to buy.
What if you had a daughter who brought home a black man and fell in love and wanted to marry him?
“I would disown her,” one added. “Like god says in the bible you'll look down and see them burn in the pit of hell.”
Their contempt for homosexuals is nothing short of frightening.
“I wouldn't hesitate to shoot one between the eyes, slit it's throat whichever way it chose its own way of death.
“The bible tells me to kill them we got so that fine.”
They cling to the traditions that once spread so much fear.
7News was offered rare access to a cross burning rally like this. There was one condition, that was we had to donate money to the Klan. We refused.
Mark Potok studies extremist groups and he says the KKK is largely impotent but worries a lone wolf could be inspired by their dangerous ideas.
“Most other extremists groups look down on them and joke that their parents are siblings,” he said.
