ADL: Klan is resurging, fed by anti-immigration sentiments

[Charlie Brown]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/02/06/klan.report.ap/index.html

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Ku Klux Klan has rebounded by exploiting current hot-button issues, especially immigration, according to a new report released by the Anti-Defamation League.

The Klan, and other white supremacist groups like skinheads and neo-Nazis, grew significantly more active in the past year, holding more rallies, distributing leaflets and increasing their presence on the Internet -- much of it focused on stirring anti-immigrant sentiment, according to the report.

"Extremist groups are good at seizing on whatever the hot button is of the day and twisting the message to get new members," Deborah M. Lauter, ADL Civil Rights director, said Monday. "This one seems to be taking hold with more of mainstream America than we'd like to see."

Old Klan chapters have been revived and new ones started throughout the South, historically the heart of the group, and in other places such as Michigan, Iowa and New Jersey, says the report.

Last May in Alabama, an anti-immigration rally included slogans such as, "Let's get rid of the Mexicans!" according to the document, titled "Ku Klux Klan Rebounds."

Between 2000 and 2005, hate groups mushroomed 33 percent and Klan chapters by 63 percent, according to Mark Potok, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate crimes.

[KingFlorez]

1. Scary, but not surprising

The fringe elements are coming out because of this immigration issue and some Republicans have fueled the resurgence of these groups.

[Marie26]

2. Go, Lou Dobbs! nt

[undergroundpanther]

5. Ahh

Ya beat me to it.
Dobbs is an asshat stoking middle class resentment.Totally igores outsourcing.

[RB TexLa]

3. And it's surprising where they find allies on immigration

[MikeNearMcChord]

4. I wonder if there should be more focus on groups

like the National Alliance and the Conservative Citizens Council, unlike the Klan and the Nazis, they don't have the baggage and will fly under the radar.

[silverojo]

6. When the government won't do its job

There are always those who will take advantage of the problem. In this case:

* Unscrupulous employers hiring them to save $$
* Unscrupulous businesses catering to them for $$
* Hate groups taking advantage of the resentment created by them

Simple answer: Crack down on the problem, and those profiting from it won't be able to do so.

Hire American.