Faith

Free Speech? ACLU Will Defend the KKK in Battle Over Highway Cleanup Program

ACLU Will Defend the KKK in Battle Over Highway Cleanup Program

ATLANTA (The Blaze/AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union will help the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in its bid to join Georgia’s highway cleanup program as a legal fight looms. Earlier this month, we first told you about the KKK’s plans to participate in a well-known adopt-a-highway program in Georgia.

For obvious reasons, the state’s Department of Transportation declined the radical group’s application and now — as many expected would happen — a legal battle is on the horizon. While free speech advocates claim that the group has a right to participate, others (and clearly the government) aren’t so sure.

Some officials publicly stated that they feared the KKK was attempting to pull a publicity stunt and that participation in the program would lead to promotion and increased membership.

“This is about membership building and rebranding their name in a public way,” said Democratic state Rep. Tyrone Brooks earlier this month. ”If the state approves [their application] then they are complicit.”

ACLU Will Defend the KKK in Battle Over Highway Cleanup Program

ACLU of Georgia Executive Director Debbie Seagraves tells The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the civil rights group will assist the Klan in its battle with the state.

“Yes, we are representing them, but we are still working on the strategy,” Seagraves confirmed on Tuesday.

This isn’t the first time that the KKK has taken communities on over similar restrictions. During a similar case in 2005 in Missouri, a lengthy legal battle unfolded. In the end, the extremist group was victorious in securing a First Amendment victory.

ACLU Will Defend the KKK in Battle Over Highway Cleanup Program

The International Keystone Knights of the KKK applied to join the “Adopt-A-Highway” program along part of Route 515 in the north Georgia mountains. Participating groups are recognized with a sign along the road they adopt.

Seagraves says the ACLU considers the legal drama a First Amendment case.

Comments (61)

1 2
  • noah2854
    Posted on June 28, 2012 at 4:37am

    while people debate about the KKK the ACLU destroys America from inside out ACLU needs to be dismantle for ever People read history about ACLU they are bringing America down they support everything that is dangerous to AMERICA illegals , muslims and all the evil .

    Report Post »  
  • Mobuy
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:23pm

    I think the KKK should be allowed to adopt a highway. If I lived in Georgia, I’d really enjoy it. I wouldn’t have to pay for garbage disposal anymore! I would be sure to seek out their section of road with a week’s worth of garbage, especially two kids worth of diapers, for disposal along the length of their clean up area.

    Report Post »  
  • BibleThumpinGunClinger
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:56pm

    They should handle it the way Missouri did (of course left out of the Blaze report).
    1. Yes they have the “right” to participate in a government sponsored litter control program.
    2. Let them register in said program to clean the desired portion of the road.
    3. Change the name of that section of the road to the “Rosa Parks Memorial Highway”.

    Problem solved

    and
    Anyone that would call the KKK a “Christian” organization needs to have a serious conversation with a TRUE Christian, or maybe even actually READ their bible.

    Report Post »  
    • MittensKittens
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 3:12pm

      Black Panthers / KKK all the same, racism is racism…thanks Obama. You can’t blame Bush for that one!

      Report Post » MittensKittens  
  • daniel73
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:56pm

    The Klan as all the rights in the United States by law to clean a highway or to work in a public place as all the other groups like GLBT, Nonwhite groups. The Klan is God loving Christans and proud of their White Christian Heritage.

    Report Post » daniel73  
    • GenOptimus
      Posted on June 28, 2012 at 5:41am

      The kkk has a history of murder and racism just like the black panthers and the neo-nazis, or ms13. no christian should be involved with any of these groups.

      Report Post »  
    • mindovermuscle
      Posted on June 30, 2012 at 8:18pm

      Christians don’t act like the KKK. Christ hates what the klan does.

      Report Post » mindovermuscle  
  • Seth Poole
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:09pm

    Maybe we could let them just have the white line down the middle…..

    Report Post »  
  • YoshiFD3S
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:58am

    Really? So just because at first sight a KNOWN hateful, racist, violent, beligerant organization like the KKK says “Oh, we just want to adopt this highway to pick up trash, etc…But yeah, we still hate Jews, blacks, etc….” That’s somehow OKAY with some of you people??

    An organization like the KKK should be renounced in EVERY sense of the word. Freedom of speech my @$$. When an organization is FOUNDED upon racial hatred, anti-semitism, violence, etc….they should be given NO privledges or rights. They should be dissolved and persecuted.

    This isn’t about “freedom of speech”…and any of you people who brainlessly support the idea of the KKK having ANY sense of freedom to spew their venomous hatred….you are no better THAN them.

    Tell you what….when YOU become the target of an organization like the KKK….lets see how willing you are THEN to let them be in the public light.

    Talk about a “smack my forehead” moment…

    Report Post » YoshiFD3S  
    • Bengal68
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 12:23pm

      Lets not forget the black panthers… They can adopt a highway to clean but only do it at night.

      Report Post » Bengal68  
    • kegbuna
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 4:57pm

      Aren’t you cute Bengal

      Report Post » kegbuna  
    • debbyjo262
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 7:53pm

      A shame the law is not based on Shoulda, woulda, coulda!

      Report Post »  
  • CougarNick78
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:56am

    The ACLU- Atheists Communists & Liberals United are at it again….. wow, what a bunch of nutjobs….

    Why is anyone shocked? These turds defend Muzzes and Satanists, but SUE Christians and Jews. These idiots take up the causes of the American Nazi Party to march in a Skokie IL Park, on a Jewish holiday. Why is anyone so surprised at the A$$ Crack Lickers Union’s latest boneheaded move….

    And of course lefties like Phillyahole would defend these blathering Bolsheviks…..they’re HIS KIND of people. Godless and clueless.

    Report Post » CougarNick78  
  • Shifty6
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:37am

    What the hell is wrong with these people? How is it that the ACLU will defend EVERYONE!!!!! except the conservative who wants to be able to have a moment of silence, or a manger scene in their yard? How is it that we can’t see the difference between right and wrong? Talk about revealing the Truth of the ACLU. They exist to fight good, not the injustices of mankind.

    Report Post »  
    • weisja4
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:58am

      The ACLU i think would defend an individual who wants to have a manger scene in their own yard. What they would oppose would be a manger scene on public lands or anything religious in the public arena. I think the fact that they will defend groups that are antithetical to their views speaks highly of the ACLU’s dedication to its mission of defending civil liberties, even if they do not like what people do with those liberties

      Report Post »  
    • 3monkeysmomma
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:16pm

      I have no particular love for the ACLU and abhor the KKK….but they are right. The government cannot discriminate.

      Georgia needs to quit “adopting out” its highways and just make the freakin inmates clean it up in my opinion.

      Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
  • republic2011
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:37am

    ACLU protecting the fascists (right) and the communists (left). Any surprise? God forbid they protect someone in the middle’s right to display a cross on public land.

    Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:15am

      Well, consider you utilize the term Republic in your name, you might want to consider the concept that individual rights being a higher priority than state’s rights is a fundamental aspect of our constitution. Which of course means the state should exist only to provide the limit public services necessary and do nothing to forward or limit any specific groups individual rights. Since its inception our country was comprised of people of all races, all ethnic backgrounds and all RELIGIONS. The notion that one is or should be more prominent is a self serving notion at best. And by any interpretation of our constitution false.

      Report Post »  
    • weisja4
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:56am

      The ACLU has an impeccable record of defending civil liberties, unfortunately (for your complaint that is) the display of religious imagery on public lands is a violation of the constitution, so the ACLU would certainly not side with someone trying to do so.

      Report Post »  
    • 3monkeysmomma
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:19pm

      @weisja4

      The constitution says “Congress shall make no law establishing a religion” it doesn’t say jack about displaying religious imagry on public lands and it takes a hell of an imagination to think those things are even similar.

      Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
    • JRook
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:42pm

      @3monkeysmomma Not really I would interpret the display of a religious symbol as promotion, if for no other reason than for the absence of other religious symbols. It seems that the founding fathers who people love to claim personal knowledge of how religious they were, referenced God and the creator more than they referenced any particular religion.

      Report Post »  
  • Nanner-SW
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:18am

    It is possible that a bad organization (founded on hatred and a scary superiority complex) to do some good things. Are they still a bad organization? Yes, but they should still be free to do good things. Another example would be Planned Parenthood. Now if only we could get them to stop doing bad things.

    Report Post » Nanner-SW  
    • YoshiFD3S
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:52am

      Really? So just because at first sight a KNOWN hateful, racist, violent, beligerant organization like the KKK says “Oh, we just want to adopt this highway to pick up trash, etc…But yeah, we still hate Jews, blacks, etc….” That’s somehow OKAY with you?!?

      An organization like the KKK should be renounced in EVERY sense of the word. Freedom of speed my @$$. When an organization is FOUNDED upon racial hatred, anti-semitism, violence, etc….they should be given NO privledges or rights.

      This isn’t about “freedom of speech”…and any of you people who brainlessly support the idea of the KKK having ANY sense of freedom to speak is beyond words…

      Tell you what….when YOU become the target of an organization like the KKK….lets see how willing you are THEN to let them be in the public light.

      A seriously “smack my forehead” moment right now…..

      Report Post » YoshiFD3S  
    • 3monkeysmomma
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:25pm

      @Yoshi

      The CONSTITUTION gives the KKK and everybody else the right to free speech and the freedom to assemble.

      You might want to familiarize yourself with it before you start running around calling others “braindead” espousing that they “have no right” when clearly, they do, Nimrod.

      Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
    • weisja4
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 2:23pm

      @Yoshi it doesn’t matter what you think of their organization, and I‘d point out that i’m very much opposed to what they do, however, they certainly have rights and the freedom of speech. the Constitution guarantees those rights to all people. To say that groups you disagree with shouldn’t have rights is Tyranny

      Report Post »  
  • Blackman Standing Tall71
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:08am

    These loser do have the right to adopt a part of the highway.It will give maybe the 5 or 6 members something to do!!!

    Report Post » Blackman Standing Tall71  
  • barber2
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:03am

    Watching the Lefty politicians of late and the Zimmerman witch hunt, I had been thinking that someone would soon be needed to protect the rights of white, conservative males. I just had no idea that it would involve two groups I have little respect for : the ACLU and the KKK. Life is strange !

    Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 11:20am

      Well that is what happens when you focus on the essence of the constitution and justice for its own sake. That is without all the self serving ideology and beliefs that people use to justify just about anything.

      Report Post »  
  • no1hd
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:59am

    They should be allowed to pick up trash, have the sign saying so, just like all others..The law is the law..

    Report Post »  
  • 1HonestInjun
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:47am

    The ACLU aren‘t really fighting for the KKK’s free speech. They are using reverse psychology here. The ACLU is fighting to keep the KKK hatred speech open so the ACLU can attach it to the right and
    conservatism to show how bad conservatives are. Read between the lines.

    Report Post »  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:21am

    Why not? The KKK is no worse than some of their other clients!! They should call themselves “The New KKK” and put out wanted posters on people they don’t like … you know, just like the New Black Panthers!!! LOL

    Report Post » BeingThere  
    • DRock1960
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 5:14pm

      Let’s go back a few months and put the shoe on the other foot..If the KKK would have rolled up in buses in Sanford, how do you think they would have been welcomed? Think our commander in chief would have stuck his nose in and gave his 2 cents (which he had no right) if the one that got shot was white? Yea… An eye for an eye…

      Report Post »  
  • ferggie
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:17am

    “FREEDOM OF SPEECH” , ain’t it a bitch?

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:14am

    The first amendment is supposed to guarantee the right of freedom of speech for everyone,well except for conservatives that try to speak at insert any college,and get shouted down and thrown out.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • anomnomnommm
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:55am

      Colleges can choose their own speakers for events.

      Report Post »  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 10:37am

      They can and do and like I said conservative speakers are shouted down by the so called tolerant left routinely.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • phillyatheist
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:13am

    for all the ACLU haters, you have to admit that they are a group that stands for the rights of ALL people. this is a perfect example of how they are not an agenda driven organization. i’m quite certain that the leaders as well as their members detest the KKK, yet they will represent them anyway.

    Report Post » phillyatheist  
  • Blazen420
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:11am

    The two groups were made for each other.

    Report Post »  
  • Shamrock241
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:57am

    WOW can you imagine if the KKK had got there way, oh THE HORROR lets see ummm ah NO welfare state, NO over crowded prisons (at tax payers expence) No Medicaid (again whitey pay your taxes and shutup) NO Flashmobs,NO BEAT Whitey night at the Wisconsin fair NO Al and Jesse, NO Watts Riot or Rodeny King event, possibly would have never sent the BILLIONS down to africa, BLACK on White crime 0% stat. Need i say more.

    Report Post »  
    • 3monkeysmomma
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:31pm

      I am a law-abiding, college-educated, tax-paying, conservative voter.

      But I am mixed-race and Catholic….so if the KKK had their way I’d be dead and so would my children.

      No thanks.

      Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:53am

    What are they gonna do? Scare the trash into the bags? :)

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • RightPolitically
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:46am

    I disagree with the KKK. But if they are not threatening or encouraging violence, they need to have their signs. Can’t have “freedom of speech” being a one-way street!

    Report Post » RightPolitically  
    • Steelheadisadouche
      Posted on June 27, 2012 at 9:24am

      It will spur the local ammo economy. The thugs will send thousands of rounds at the sign on the side of the road, and maybe get 2 or 3 hits.

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:44am

    The KKK being defended by a bunch of Jewish lawyers. Ain’t America great? Honestly, no where else in the world would you see this.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:41am

    well at least they are trying to keep their state clean, that is more than i can say for some others who just don’t give a crap about where they live or how they live.especially those who li9ve in government run apartments, go by and look at the trash,cars and junk every where and no one has the pride to keep it clean. if this group wants to work then i see no problem, all of these groups that are complaining about the k k k,i just wonder how many of them are volunteering to help keep their state clean,??

    Report Post »  
  • 00gabooga
    Posted on June 27, 2012 at 8:17am

    I God I hope the ACLU sends a black lawyer.

    Report Post » 00gabooga  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love