The new year has brought fresh distributions of flyers and literature from the Trinity White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a Ku Klux Klan splinter group responsible for similar distributions last year, even as local leaders decry their views as outdated and hateful.
“Their movement is dying,” Northern Kentucky NAACP President Jerome Bowles told LINK nky, adding that the distributions didn’t reflect the region or the progress it has made.
In an email from Imperial Wizard William Bader sent directly to LINK nky, the Trinity White Knights claim to have distributed flyers in several NKY cities as well as neighborhoods in Cincinnati.
The new flyers, the distributions of which coincide with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and inauguration day, seem to target immigrants – an image of Uncle Sam kicking what appears to be a family is centered between the words: “Leave Now. Avoid Deportation.”
The Ludlow Police Department has confirmed the distribution of flyers and is encouraging residents to make a police report if they feel harassed. The department called the flyers “disturbing and disgusting propaganda.” Kenton County Dispatch has also confirmed reports of distributions in Fort Wright, and LINK nky has received reports from readers of distributions in Fort Mitchell and Dayton, as well. The flyers found in Dayton are different from the “Avoid Deportation” flyers, instead casting aspersions on the personal and political legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Bellevue Police Department, has likewise confirmed distributions, reported them to the FBI and is encouraging residents with any information about the flyers or their distributors to make a report.
“If you have any information regarding who may be disseminating these flyers, please reach out to the Bellevue Police Department at 859-261-1122,” the department said in its announcement. The Bellevue Police Chief later confirmed with LINK nky they had removed the posting for fear of ginning up publicity for the Klan.
Several of the region’s mayors have also issued statements on the flyer distributions.
Mayor Dave Hatter of Fort Wright said in a press release that “council, staff and I are outraged and dismayed that this has occurred in our community. It is especially appalling that it happened on Dr. Martin Luther King Day.
“We strive to ensure that Fort Wright is a welcoming community and is a wonderful place to live, work and play for ALL.”
Crescent Springs’ Mayor Mike Daugherty posted on the city’s Facebook page about the flyers, calling the distribution of them “completely unacceptable.”
“As your Mayor, I want to assure you that the City Council, city staff, and I are outraged by this despicable act,” Daugherty wrote in the post. “This is not just a matter for Crescent Springs; it is part of a larger problem affecting the Northern Kentucky community that we must confront together.”
Daugherty went on to say that the flyers to not reflect the beliefs of city council, city staff, or himself.
“Our commitment to inclusivity and kindness is what sets us apart, and we will not allow these flyers to undermine our values,” he said.
The Villa Hills Police Department, Daugherty said in the post, is in contact with the FBI and Homeland Security regarding the issue.
“We take it very seriously and will take legal action against anyone found responsible for spreading this hate,” Daugherty said.
The City of Covington released a statement on Wednesday acknowledging the flyer distributions, assuring residents of safety but saying they did not want to give the group more publicity.
“The goal of these hateful flyers and the people who posted them is to get attention, to get free publicity, to get City leaders and the news media and residents talking about the KKK’s disgraceful message,” the announcement reads. “We’re not in the mood to elevate and advertise this attempt at division and to help them recruit. We are not sharing images of the flyers, nor are we going on TV news to call attention to their cause.”
The city said later in the announcement, “These flyers that seek to divide us are not going to get traction in The Cov. At the same time, our residents should not have to live in fear or with anxiety. Whereas the First Amendment protects even reprehensible beliefs and the people who hold them, it does not protect harassment and intimidation. The Covington Police Department continues to monitor the situation for threats, threatening behavior, attempts at intimidation, and violent acts … and if they see any, our officers WILL act. And we encourage our residents to report any such occurrences.”
Anyone who wishes to report a flyer distribution in their city to LINK nky should send an email to news@linknky.com.