Community leaders condemn Klan Literature/ Klan responds with press release

African-American activists rallied Monday morning in Anniston to speak out against recent flyers promoting the United Klans of America.  People in several Calhoun County communities received the notices in their driveways on Father's Day. There were two different types of flyers.  One said "Neighborhood Watch -- You can sleep well tonight knowing the United Klans of America are awake.  The other flyer had the heading "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," with a list of 10 goals of the UKA.  Those included the return of Christian morality to America, the ending of homosexuality, and putting a stop to interracial relationships.  The flyer stated the UKA wanted to "help secure future for white children, and that the beauty of the white Arian woman must not perish from this earth."  Local civil rights activists joined the African-American members of the Anniston city council and Calhoun County Commission to condemn the Klan and their actions.  Fred Wilson, the only African-American on the county commission, read a proclamation signed by the other commissioners which called on the distributors of the flyers to cease and desist.  Anniston council member David Reddick talked about faith and how many people believe everyone are descendants of the same couple, Adam and Eve.  He said there are also genetic studies that show people of different races have the same ancestors. Fellow councilman Seyram Selase said it will take a community effort to teach respect and responsibility.  He said racism is taught, often to children, and that there will not be irresponsible children without irresponsible parents, and there won't be irresponsible parents without an irresponsible community. The rally emphasized peace, love, and non-violent action, but some of the people in attendance said they would defend themselves if necessary. At their Monday evening meeting, the Anniston city council also passed a resolution calling on those who distributed the flyers to cease and desist. 

The United Klans of America  released a statement on the group's purposes, following a press conference earlier Monday in anniston related to the UKA's recent activities in Calhoun County.  In a two page emailed statement from their imperial office in Ashland, Alabama.  The release stated "We are working to rebuild our collapsing society on the basis of the principles: Honor, Honesty, Duty, Courage, Brotherhood and Patriotism," "We are the generation of tomorrow, TODAY."  

 The UKA statement describes the group as a fraternal organization, not a hate group.