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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFlorida town stunned by news of police ties with the KKK
FRUITLAND PARK, Fla. (AP) Ann Hunnewell and her central Florida police officer husband knelt in the living room of a fellow officer's home, with pillow cases as makeshift hoods over their heads. A few words were spoken and they, along with a half-dozen others, were initiated into the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan, she says.
Last week, that five-year-old initiation ceremony stunned residents of the small town of Fruitland Park, who found out an investigative report linked two city officers with the secret hate society that once was violently active in the area. Ann Hunnewell's ex-husband, George Hunnewell, was fired, and deputy chief David Borst resigned from the 13-member Fruitland Park Police Department. Borst has denied being a member.
James Elkins, a third officer who Ann Hunnewell says recruited her and her husband, resigned in 2010 after his Klan ties became public.
The violence against blacks that permeated the area was more than 60 years ago, when the place was more rural and the main industry was citrus. These days, the community of less than 5,000 residents about 50 miles northwest of Orlando has been infused by the thousands of wealthier, more cosmopolitan retirees in the area. Those who live in the bedroom community, which is less than 10 percent black, have reacted not only with shock, but disgust that officers could be involved with the Klan, the mayor said.
"Maybe I'm ignorant, but I didn't realize that they still met and organized and did that kind of thing," said Michele Lange, a church volunteer.
Last week, that five-year-old initiation ceremony stunned residents of the small town of Fruitland Park, who found out an investigative report linked two city officers with the secret hate society that once was violently active in the area. Ann Hunnewell's ex-husband, George Hunnewell, was fired, and deputy chief David Borst resigned from the 13-member Fruitland Park Police Department. Borst has denied being a member.
James Elkins, a third officer who Ann Hunnewell says recruited her and her husband, resigned in 2010 after his Klan ties became public.
The violence against blacks that permeated the area was more than 60 years ago, when the place was more rural and the main industry was citrus. These days, the community of less than 5,000 residents about 50 miles northwest of Orlando has been infused by the thousands of wealthier, more cosmopolitan retirees in the area. Those who live in the bedroom community, which is less than 10 percent black, have reacted not only with shock, but disgust that officers could be involved with the Klan, the mayor said.
"Maybe I'm ignorant, but I didn't realize that they still met and organized and did that kind of thing," said Michele Lange, a church volunteer.
http://news.yahoo.com/florida-town-stunned-news-police-kkk-ties-082251736.html
Probably more widespread than people realize. Racism is still alive in many places...it's just more hidden now.
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Florida town stunned by news of police ties with the KKK (Original Post)
davidn3600
Jul 2014
OP
I'm not stunned at all. Police have always had issues with racism in this country. nt
bemildred
Jul 2014
#4
Orrex
(63,219 posts)1. America stunned that Florida town is stunned by news of police ties with the KKK
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)2. ^^^^^Nailed it on the first post
end of thread...
TeeYiYi
(8,028 posts)5. !.. lolz ..nt
TYY
Lochloosa
(16,067 posts)3. I have lived in Florida my entire life. Didn't stun me.
Nay
(12,051 posts)8. I was born and raised in FL and it doesn't stun me, either -- my
best friend's uncle was a bigshot in the KKK and those bastards were all over the place.
Baitball Blogger
(46,753 posts)6. DUzy!
bemildred
(90,061 posts)4. I'm not stunned at all. Police have always had issues with racism in this country. nt
steve2470
(37,457 posts)7. Lake County, nope, not surprised nt
TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)9. Fruitland.
Yep, that fits.
Iggo
(47,563 posts)10. Rest of the country: Not stunned.