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Klan told distributing literature violates ordinance
Abilene tells Ku Klux Klan its fliers violate ordinance
ABILENE — The city of Abilene has informed representatives of the Ku Klux Klan who were distributing leaflets in local neighborhoods earlier this month that they are violating a city ordinance.
But so far, the city has not issued a citation to the KKK for distributing the pamphlets.
“They have not been cited or fined,” said Assistant City Attorney Kelley Messer. “If they were to be cited it would be considered a Class C misdemeanor, with a fine up to $500.”
Messer said no person or group has been prosecuted for violating the ordinance, a city statute since 1965, for the past 12 years.
A representative of the KKK, Clavern 78 in Abilene, who would not otherwise identify himself, said his organization has a right under the U.S. Constitution to distribute the leaflets.
“We feel like our first amendment rights have been squashed,” the KKK representative said.
The KKK representative said he informed city officials that a “rally is an option.”
“It is something we have to consider,” he said. “We don’t want to cost the city money.”
So far, the KKK has not applied for a permit to hold a rally in Abilene.
He said the group, which is affiliated with the United White Knights of the KKK, in Texas, may also hire an attorney as another option.
“We will do whatever we have to,” he said.
Abilene tells Ku Klux Klan its fliers violate ordinance
ABILENE — The city of Abilene has informed representatives of the Ku Klux Klan who were distributing leaflets in local neighborhoods earlier this month that they are violating a city ordinance.
But so far, the city has not issued a citation to the KKK for distributing the pamphlets.
“They have not been cited or fined,” said Assistant City Attorney Kelley Messer. “If they were to be cited it would be considered a Class C misdemeanor, with a fine up to $500.”
Messer said no person or group has been prosecuted for violating the ordinance, a city statute since 1965, for the past 12 years.
A representative of the KKK, Clavern 78 in Abilene, who would not otherwise identify himself, said his organization has a right under the U.S. Constitution to distribute the leaflets.
“We feel like our first amendment rights have been squashed,” the KKK representative said.
The KKK representative said he informed city officials that a “rally is an option.”
“It is something we have to consider,” he said. “We don’t want to cost the city money.”
So far, the KKK has not applied for a permit to hold a rally in Abilene.
He said the group, which is affiliated with the United White Knights of the KKK, in Texas, may also hire an attorney as another option.
“We will do whatever we have to,” he said.