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Ex-Leader Says KKK Making A Comeback Save Email Print
Posted: 3:29 PM Nov 20, 2008
Last Updated: 3:37 PM Nov 20, 2008
Reporter: Courtesy KXII.com

A | A | A

MIAMI, Okla. ― A former Ku Klux Klan leader who has since renounced the organization says the hate group is "making a comeback in Oklahoma."

Forty-nine-year-old Johnny Lee Clary points to the recruitment -- and eventual killing -- of a Tulsa woman by a Louisiana segment of the group.

Louisiana authorities have said 43-year-old Cynthia Charlotte Lynch was recruited to join the group but was killed when she decided to leave an initiation ritual that took place last Sunday.

Clary used to be active in the KKK, rising to the rank of imperial wizard, but he quit in 1989 and now preaches against such hate groups. He says he's seen signs of the group's comeback in Oklahoma for some time now. He says Oklahomans should not buy the KKK's messages of hate.

He says the KKK will use things like the poor economy, illegal immigration and the election of a black president to spread hate propaganda.

In Texoma, white supremacists targeted an Ada newspaper just last month by distributing racist flyers attached to delivered newspapers. A similar incident occurred in May in the rural Marshall County town of Enos.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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Posted by: Survivor Location: Greenville on Nov 29, 2008 at 06:58 AM
Anyone who involves themselves with the KKK are "cowards" in the worst way. If you are proud of what you preach and what you do, why hide behind a mask? Could it be shame? Could it be fear? I say this day that they are truly out numbered. That they should be fearful of their surroundings. This is not the 1960's. This is a new day, a new time, with a new generation. They preach hatred because they are small minded and those they chose to hate are more intellegent than they are. Because they feel that others have what they should and more of it. They sneak through the darkness like a bunch of theives and take their prey unawares. Sounds like a coward to me. The KKK? They should just give their wives their sheet sets back and realize that their race isn't as pure as they would like to think.

Posted by: Thomas Location: Creswell on Nov 29, 2008 at 04:12 AM
Well H---, they should have the same right as the naacp, black panthers, bloods, crips, folks, and all the other so-called gangs. None of them can stand on their own two feet and preach their teachings. They have to hide behind other members. KKK is no different. They hide behind a sheet. We need a naawp. We are quickly becoming the minority and in Eastern, NC we ARE the minority. Just look around you. The black race and mexicans breed like flies and our crazy a-- gov. just keeps on paying them more welfare to have more babies. This is what is wrong with this country today !!!

Posted by: Dwayne Location: Greenville on Nov 26, 2008 at 02:45 PM
What numbers are available to support this claim by the Associated Press? Could it be that the ObamaPress is just giving it more attention in order to push their own biased agenda? The timing after the election of our first multiracial President is just too suspicious.

Posted by: ~ALPHA female~ Location: O84P on Nov 23, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Boy do the kkk have a surprise coming to them. They should stop putting pillow cases on their heads and bed sheets on their bodies and go ahead and dress up in clown attire. If I find one burning a cross on my yard at night...that's where the hearse will find him in the morning! Threat...No Promise...YES

Posted by: bn mad on Nov 23, 2008 at 11:34 AM
hey but what does it solve to join up with a racist hate group? what exactly is being 'fixed'? how is this justified? you can be angry about the things going on in the world thats unfair, but joining up with kkk is just going to make you look even more wrong and stupid. even if the kkk were 'organized' enough to commit all sorts of terrorist crimes to try to get out a 'message', no one would listen to them--they would just be seen as heinous terrorists. if you feel like it needs to come to light that all people are racist, find a better way. personally i think racism is like the monster in the closet when you were a little kid...its only there if you think about it. the more people that back off of the racism issue, the more that radical racists of any kind will stick out like a sore thumb. its a process and its not going to happen tomorrow.

Posted by: Kathy Location: Goldsboro,N.C. on Nov 23, 2008 at 10:22 AM
The KKK is no different than the NAACP or the Black Panthers! One is for the whites and the other two are for the blacks! It a shame these groups have to be ,but it is only going to get worse because of the way the election turned out! Alot, if not most of the people feel the election was won because of obama being 1/2 black not his qualifications to be President! This is going to be a long,long,long,4years!

Posted by: lavon Location: kinston on Nov 23, 2008 at 09:05 AM
Imperial wizard. Lol!!! More like imperial Idiot. What a bunch of morons to run around in the middle of the night hiding from everyone and wearing white sheets BWAHAHAHAWWW!! h

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 23, 2008 at 08:19 AM
to lavon ! it will not be a joke to fine a burning cross in your yard and that is not funny!!!! these people are eveywhere !!

Posted by: Teresa Location: Farmville on Nov 23, 2008 at 08:06 AM
The country is more united than divided. Just look at the electoral votes. McCain tried to use fear in his campaign and it backfired. No one is afraid anymore. This is a new generation of people. Whites and blacks are going to the same churches and marrying. Love has always concord hate. Look at Jesus and Satan. Who won. And since Jesus died and rose. Guess who won. Jesus did. Satan should have made sure He was dead. Love will always win from now on because of the CROSS. The sad part about all this KKK is there are a lot of PROFESSING christians behind the sheets. It is sad because if they knew Jesus they would no love. Once Jesus really comes in. Hatred has to die. Jesus loved all. We have a leader to follow, that is Jesus. Obama did not die for us. We must support and pray for the president/cabinet. The KKK must too come out of the closet(hoods)like the homosexuals did and face the world. We are all in this world together. Get use to it. If you are KKK, you are probably a unhappy.

Posted by: V Location: New Bern on Nov 23, 2008 at 07:05 AM
Blacks are being taught to hate Whites as well. From the time they are small, their parents and organizations, remind them to play the role of the victim and that the white people for it. Malcom X did not preach tolerance he taught Hate for the white man. And so the race goes on

Posted by: Joseph Location: Snow Hill on Nov 22, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Go KKK im in it and love it the blacks have the NAACP whats the problem? Blacks are juse as acist as whites. Pass it on

Posted by: Elmo Location: Poor Town on Nov 22, 2008 at 01:35 PM
The dumocrats bought the state and country.Now lets see if they are worth 600 million dollars? We have to give Bill and Hillary another chance.

Posted by: To Maddog on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:44 AM
Why not start blaming obama for everything? Most people have been blaming everything on President George Bush for 8 years. Where's the CHANGE? All of Clinton's old cronies are being appointed as cabinet members.

Posted by: uhmmm no on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:37 AM
dear member, i dont think cleansing the earth of sinners is up to you. sounds like a big job, you know...i dont think God would leave that up to a bunch of rowdies in silly robes. besides, you are a sinner like everyone else, so whats the plan? destroy the earth? doesnt sound like peace to me. if yout want to live in peace you should get rid of that hate.

Posted by: lavon Location: kinston on Nov 22, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Ha HA HA HA!!! KKK? What a joke

Posted by: laughing on Nov 22, 2008 at 07:45 AM
I am not a supporter of any hate groups....KKK or other. Actually I find the KKK rather childish....a bunch of adult men running around in bedsheets and hoods because they are too embarassed to let others know who they are, all the while yelling before they think and making pure idiots of themselves in the process. Maybe they are just such huge fans of Halloween that they need to wear their costumes year round.

Posted by: Garth Location: Wayne's World on Nov 22, 2008 at 03:39 AM
Here is a perfect example why I said in another post that the United States is not ready for the gays in the military to be allowed to come out of the closet. The KKK isn't just going to target President-elect Obama or illegal immigrants, They hate Blacks, Jews, Catholics, and Homosexuals just to name a few. Their a bunch of Hate-mongers who's only purpose in life is to hurt people and ruin lives. Their just as bad as gangs like the Bloods, Crips, Ayrian Brotherhood, Five Percent Nation, and MS13.

Posted by: Member Location: ? on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:32 PM
All we want to do is live in peace. In order to do that we must cleanse the Earth of sinners.

Posted by: BUBBA Location: DIXIE COUNTY ,FL on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:17 PM
The Black Panthers practiced militant self-defense of minority communities against the U.S. government, and fight to establish revolutionary socialism through mass organizing and community based programs. New Black Panther Party In 1989, a group calling itself the "New Black Panther Party" was formed in Dallas, Texas. Ten years later, the NBPP became home to many former Nation of Islam members when the chairmanship was taken by Khalid Abdul Muhammad. The Anti-Defamation League has identified the New Black Panthers as a Hate Group.

Posted by: the media is your president Location: d on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:04 PM
hey member if you are a member of the kkk i dont think its funny i think its really sad. we are all human beings here, created equally in the eyes of God. what exactly is the mission of the kkk? how do they go about getting this so called 'justice' for 'reverse' racism--(that is, if 'racism' is only a term used for white on black, so it must be reversed?)? all they do is make things worse. if they can do anything at all with all their intimidation tactics (and really, try that on the streets of LA one time, in full robes)it would be to further divide our country, and to give the media a handle for which to sway the public opinion against (primarily southern) white people. someone else mentioned it being another gang like crips, latin kings, etc. and theyre right. just some thugs trying to be respected, and confusing respect with mortal intimidation. respect is something you earn, you cant scare anyone into respecting you.

Posted by: Walter Location: Jacksonville on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:32 PM
crazy, you are probably right. The news media has been laying off people left and right.

Posted by: Member Location: ? on Nov 21, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Don't make fun of the KKK we are a very organized group.

Posted by: he he Location: g on Nov 21, 2008 at 06:10 PM
this is all i know of the kkk a bunch of white dudes running around in robes, burning crosses on peoples lawns, and havin meetings about hatin folks. they still dont know theyre outnumbered apparently. and must not have jobs or anything better to do with their time.

Posted by: crazy Location: h on Nov 21, 2008 at 05:14 PM
theyre probably not popping up more, i think theyre being sought out for story purposes more than anything. it looks better if the news has something really juicy to report. i got to wonder what kind of folks would join that! most white people i know would be so embarrassed if someone thought they were racists. i get embarrassed if im near another white person who used the N word--i dont want to be associated with that! its just so ignorant. not to mention weird. the only kind of people i could think of being in that group would be someone brainwashed from birth or mentally ill somehow. all racially biased groups in my opinion need to go, no matter how benevolent they seem. i think we need to take care of americans as 'americans', we are all in the same 'club' so why divide us up according to color!

Posted by: T Location: Washington on Nov 21, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Right on Sharemyjoy!

Posted by: Talon Location: NC on Nov 21, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Equating the NAACP with the KKK is idiotic. But, the KKK and the Black Panther's, now there's a match up. Racism stinks period, no matter who is expressing it.

Posted by: ME Location: HERE on Nov 21, 2008 at 03:16 PM
Now this is pretty ridiculous. I agree the KK never rellay went anywhere, they're just popping up in more areas now after the elction. The NAACP does promote hate I agree but I also feel that they do take some things too far and cause more problems (at times) than good. BUT, the KKK is overall, well, STUPID! If I HATE someone why hide my face? Why form a group? Just hate them, not intimidate and kill, rape, and so on. They honestly are just ignorant people that have never been raised right. They just don't know any different for the most part. The Black Panthers, same thing. Just a waste of time, air, and efforts that get them NOWHERE, obviously.

Posted by: sharemyjoy Location: Washington on Nov 21, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Making a comeback? Where did they go? Do you really think they put the sheets in the closet? No, many are wearing suits now. It just takes too much energy to hate someone because of their color, ideas, or beliefs. I have better things to do. Can a person change their color? No! So why hate them. Do me a favor..take that energy you use for hate and fix this economy. Now hate that!!

Posted by: RY Location: greenville on Nov 21, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Why do you people continue to compare the KKK to the NAACP? There is no comparision. The KKK has been know to kill people. Please name an incident where the NAACP was responsible for someone's death.

Posted by: T Location: Washington on Nov 21, 2008 at 01:33 PM
The KKK was once a Christian organization that helped people and churches and their families. It took one idiot to change all that. God made us all in his image and they have been trying to change God's plan every since. Lord help these crazy people.

Posted by: XXX Location: Greenville on Nov 21, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Racism will NEVER end until there is only one race or there is NO race. The kkk & naacp are not the causes of racism, only catalysts. If you want to see a TRUE cause of racism, just watch any news cast in the afternoon.

Posted by: Janelle Location: Belhaven on Nov 21, 2008 at 12:07 PM
I am so sick and tired of all the ignorance in our country. I'm tired of people hating people for who and/or what they are. We're all people, regardless of identifying factors. It's disgusting that we cannot all live peacefully. My parents taught me to love everyone, and that is exactly what I do. It's also what I teach my kids. I don't want them to grow up being ignorant, as so many people are in our UNITED STATES.

Posted by: Me on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:22 AM
This time around you will see a change that will reflect that of the NAACP...where the KKK defends the right of the white man since we have seen reverse racism start to get out of hand and the race card constantly being used. If we would get rid of the NAACP and the KKK we would finaly be able to move forward and end racism all together.

Posted by: Jacob Masters Location: Jacksonville on Nov 21, 2008 at 11:19 AM
"...instead of the kkk, lets form a group. NAAWP." Already done. David Duke did it YEARS ago.

Posted by: Devil Dog Location: New Bern on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Include the MAFIA as a hate group also. They extort, kill innocent people, traffic drugs,and infiltrate all sectors of our society. $50.00 for a concealed weapon permit. Do for it.

Posted by: Dwayne Location: Greenville on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:16 AM
Be fair in reporting. Not only is the KKK making a comeback, but the Black Panthers had representatives at polling places intimidating voters. It was on TV. Both groups have screwed up ideologies. Farakan, the Black Panthers all embrace Obama believing he is the messiah. That in itself is a bizarre as the KKK mentality. My Messiah is Jesus Christ, not Obama.

Posted by: RY Location: Greenville on Nov 21, 2008 at 10:12 AM
To Delta and ???: The NAACP does not promote hate against people based on the color of their skin. They are there to help those who have been discriminated against based on their race or someone who has been the victim of a hate crime. Have you ever heard of the NAACP lynching someone or killing someone based on their race? Did you know that the NAACP helped a WHITE man in NY who said he was sodomized by the police? Probably not. There is no comparision to the NAACP with the KKK!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:37 AM
instead of the kkk, lets form a group. NAAWP.

Posted by: MADDOG Location: GREENVILLE on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:12 AM
My GOD people,,,wake the H--- up.I don't care for the KKK myself. But you people are blaming Obama for everything and he is not even in office yet.Would you blame him if your car stoped running,Oh Obama did it. Find something else to cry about and lets see what the man will do.Also ,,, before anyone out there wants to yell at me for what I just wrote,,GO AHEAD,,I DON'T CARE. Obama,,,Do your thing.

Posted by: ??? Location: Carolina on Nov 21, 2008 at 09:03 AM
To delta: I couldn't agree with you more. The NAACP can do what they want to but not a group for white people

Posted by: tom Location: j-actionville on Nov 21, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I dont like it either but what you expect we have the bloods latin kings cripts and etc... ruining our nation why not through in the kkk. There aint nothing but a butch of crazy things goin on in this world And we all need to seek the church an the lord or saviour JESUS CHRIST!

Posted by: To Matt in Washington, NC Location: NC on Nov 21, 2008 at 07:13 AM
To Matt in Washington...interesting post. Thank you. I have some personal trivia to add to your post. I have relatives of Lebanese descent. The family immigrated to the USA, through Ellis Island, many moons ago (on the 4th generation now). Over the years, the meaning of certain words & slang have been passed down. We were raised to understand that calling an AA person an "abeed" is extremely derogatory & it's meant to harbor great malice. Essentially, THE worst thing you could call them. We were told it was a slang equivalent, in their language, of using the "N" word, or worse even, if that's possible. It might hold a different meaning elsewhere or to others, but that's what it meant, without question, within this family. I find it very interesting that Zawahiri used that particular term.

Posted by: t Location: t on Nov 21, 2008 at 06:33 AM
aside from the whole being ignorant thing... THOSE ROBES LOOK RIDICULOUS!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: greenville on Nov 21, 2008 at 05:16 AM
its obvious that people are so ignorant and mentally unstable that they have too bully someone else what difference does the color make this is petty and childish and just remember you are going to reap what you sow spend some of that energy on learning to love yourself and others ?????

Posted by: delta Location: G town on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:14 PM
How is the Naacp any different than the KKK? No different. It ok for the negro to have an organization but if white people try to have an prganization for whites only its racism. Kinda one sided.

Posted by: Matt Location: Washington,NC on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:43 PM
Talk about hate. Nov. 19 al - Qeade's Zawahiri criticised Mr Obama - whose father is Muslim - for betraying the Islamic world. "You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand in the ranks of the enemies of the Muslims, and pray the prayer of the Jews, although you claim to be Christian, in order to climb the rungs of leadership in America," he said. Mr Obama was not an "honourable black American" like Malcolm X, he said, but an "abeed al-beit" - a word that translates as House Slave.

Posted by: Rob Location: NC on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:24 PM
Brian, I agree 100%. My brother in Texas has said that there is a rise in KKK and neo-Nazi recruitment since November 4. To tell you truth, I am not a bit suprised, but also dumbfounded by the ignorance of some people in this country.

Posted by: WOLFGANG Location: CHOCOWINITY,NC on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I do not agree with, or like any hate groups. WITN should report on the 2 Black Panthers on TV one with a base ball bat slapping the palm of his hand with it. Intimitating white voters not to vote in the Prez election. In front of a voter building in Philly PA. Lets by fare Blacks have hate groups too. The Black Panthers.

Posted by: Brian Location: Winterville on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Rob-after reading comments on this board, no, I'm not surprised at all. It's a sad, pathetic commentary on society that people can't look past the color of one's skin to determine their worth.

Posted by: C on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:48 PM
I repeat: Racism is ignorant, and every last one of these sheet-wearing idiots should be rounded up and shipped off to a remote desert island. They'd finally have their "perfect aryan society" and we'd FINALLY be rid of them.

Posted by: Jacob Masters Location: Jacksonville, NC on Nov 20, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Dont be surprsised... Oklahoma is not the only place that the Klan is on the rise. Another group, "The Knights Party" of Harrison, Arkansas is actively recruiting in Jacksonville, NC and was in the news for flier distribution as well.

Posted by: ~ALPHA female~ Location: O84P on Nov 20, 2008 at 05:32 PM
LOL@kkk....that's why black people aren't worried about Al-Qaeda terrorist. Please, black people have had a terrorist group called the kkk since Dec. 24, 1865. And they maybe making a comeback, but this isn't the 60's. All these "other" races will come together and finish the kkk off. I'm not talking about NAACP, or ACLC. If anyone thinks it will be like it was 50 years ago is fooling themselves. LOL..they want some...come get some!

Posted by: snowy1158 Location: windsor on Nov 20, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I dont believe in the kkk but I expected this after Obama won.

Posted by: Mike Location: Edenton on Nov 20, 2008 at 04:48 PM
It may be a haven for the ignorant, but make no mistake they are all ignorant. David Duke is a good example. Haven't you seen the photo of Senator Byrd, D-WV, in his robe? Back in the day the membership included judges, law enforcement officials, politicians, doctors, attorneys, and more. They wore their hoods down to protect their identities. No doubt the Invisible Empire will benefit from recent turn of events. The KKK only numbers in the tens of thousands, once in the millions. Watch for the NRA to top 5 million members.

Posted by: Dave Location: NC on Nov 20, 2008 at 04:21 PM
The KKK is a haven for the profoundly ignorant.

Posted by: Rob Location: NC on Nov 20, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Is anyone suprised?

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