Ku Klux Klan meeting raises concern in rural California

[babylonsister]

Klan meeting raises concern

Deputy patrolling in Dos Palos happens upon gathering of men in white robes
By JONAH OWEN LAMB
[e-mail]


A Merced County sheriff's deputy drove past a small gathering in early 2009 not often seen in this rural county whose population is mostly Latino -- a Ku Klux Klan meeting.

The Klan, which has a presence in other parts of the state, hasn't been reported here for some time.

While local law enforcement's reaction has been guardedly concerned -- there is little they can do unless laws have been broken -- some academics argue that despite a shrinking number of racist groups nationally, smaller, more isolated groups can be more dangerous.

On Feb. 22, 2009, according to a police report obtained by the Sun-Star, a Merced County sheriff's deputy rolled up on a gathering in the backyard of a house just outside of the town of Dos Palos.

Ten men stood behind a low chain-link fence in the backyard of the house. They wore white robes and pointed white head pieces. On their chests they wore circular badges with a black cross at the center. One of the men wore a purple robe, another a gold robe. Several children played in the yard on that section of Lexington Avenue.

When the group noticed the patrol car, they started yelling at the deputy and then retreated into the house. Soon people began leaving the house and started to get into their cars parked along the road. One man crossed the road towards his truck and covered his face.

more...

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2010/03/06/1339098/klan-meeting-raises-concern.html

[Happy Hippy]

1. Nah....

Just UCSD students......

[DJ13]

2. Ah, Merced

Thats not unexpected there.

[babylonsister]

3. According to the article it is. nt

[951-Riverside]

4. How come these terrorists are allowed to gather but Al Qaeda members are...

rounded up, interrogated and thrown in prison?

Then to add insult to injury these KKK terrorists get tax payer funded protection.

[MadMaddie]

11. Pssst because they are KKKristian and have pale skin

When the attacks start on innocent people of all races......maybe they will be considered terrorist.

[murielm99]

5. Anti-gay fundamentalists in Sacramento, Klan in Merced Co. ...

My father used to talk about the extremists who became powerful and widespread during the Depression. He often mentioned the Klan presence in Southern Minnesota when he was a kid. He saw their signs and calling cards in many places. They said, "The Klan is watching YOU."

My dad understood that people needed someone to blame when their world was falling apart.

We will see more of this. We need to fight it.

[Dramarama]

6. Meh

White robes are so 1930

[DCKit]

7. Purple robes? Gold robes? Is he sure it wasn't a drag convention? Or Catholics? n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

8. Apparently the Humboldt county Klan couldn't make it?

I heard they wear tie-dyed sheets. :evilgrin:

[musette_sf]

9. And they'll be loading up a charter bus tomorrow

to bring their social club to Mill Valley:

http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_14507378

[MadMaddie]

10. Don't you find it amusing that they cover their faces and try

to hide their identity. They are cowards.....they thrive on intimidation.

We shouldn't take these events lightly.

[etherealtruth]

13. I can't find anything amusing about those (expletive deleted)

I am not ashamed to say: They scare the hell out of me.

[MadMaddie]

14. I use "amused" lightly

They are very dangerous but they need to know that we won't stand by and be bullied or threatened. This is a different day......

[etherealtruth]

15. No, no

I didn't mean to imply that you thought they were "funny" .... I clearly understand that you were mocking their cowardice.

[petronius]

12. I suppose it's somewhat good news that they scattered like roaches when

the deputy happened by. Perhaps it means that even in rural CA (a pretty red area) they know that their bigotry is unwelcome...