How’s this for an unlikely pair: the American Civil Liberties Union is defending the Ku Klux Klan’s right to adopt a highway in Georgia.
How’s this for an unlikely pair: the American Civil Liberties Union is defending the Ku Klux Klan’s right to adopt a highway in Georgia.
Earlier this month, the KKK was denied by Georgia’s Department of Transportation when they attempted to adopt a highway, saying “an organization with a history of inciting civil disturbance and social unrest would present a grave concern.” The KKK was trying to take part in the state’s Adopt-a-Highway program, but Georgia said it would hurt the state’s image, and would serve as a “distraction” to drivers.
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
“Two weeks ago, the Georgia Department of Transportation rejected an application filed May 21 by Harley Hanson, who calls himself the exalted cyclops of the Georgia Realm of the International Keystone Knights of the KKK, and his wife.”
A representative for the white supremacist group said adopting the highway wasn’t a publicity stunt. “Would it be any different if it was the Black Panthers or something? Someone always has some kind of race card.”
Following the rejection of their bid, the ACLU announced they would take on the KKK’s request for representation in a dispute against the state of Georgia since it’s a free speech issue.
This isn’t the first time the ACLU has defended the rights of white supremacists: in 1992, they petitioned the federal court to order the town of Elkton, Maryland to allow the KKK to hold a march.