There have been several periods in American history when the Ku Klux Klan was a major force in our country, ranging from the late days of slavery even to some relatively modern times.
KKK members have acted as a secret, hooded force for illegal coercion. Fortunately, we don’t hear of the KKK much anymore. But last Saturday, some KKK members appeared in Ellijay, Ga., wearing traditional pointed white headgear and long white robes.
The KKK members in Ellijay were protesting massive illegal immigration, homosexuality, sex offenders, blacks and President Barack Obama.
It is ironic that while the KKK members listed things to which many object, the KKK is objectionable in itself. That’s because its history and its terrorist nature have made it definitely “un-American.”
Fortunately, the KKK has faded in its influence, and now is more ridiculous than powerful. But we should be reminded that while all Americans have the right of free speech, to express their opinions on all issues in which people are interested, there is never any proper place in America for threatening demonstrations.
Our United States is a nation of laws. There is no place in America for threats or implied threats of violence, such as the KKK represented in many unfortunate periods of our history.
Fortunately, the KKK demonstrators in Ellijay last Saturday were orderly and broke no law. But the history of the KKK, its symbolism and its sometimes violent past are things that Americans should abhor.