WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-KKK returns to Alabama

KKK returns to Alabama

By Bobby Shuttleworth
WAFF 48 News Reporter

The National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan will be in the Valley this weekend.  

A rally will be held near Elkmont in Limestone County and it's expected to include a cross burning.

This is the same group that staged an anti-immigration rally on the Athens City Hall steps in September.

This group doesn't have a permit to rally or parade,  but nothing they are planning is illegal.  

Images of the KKK include cross burnings and speeches touting white supremacy.

So is the coming event a hate crime?  

Not according to attorney, Brian Oakes, "It's not a hate crime under Alabama law, because our statute as drafted makes burning of a cross or hateful language of that type are only susceptible to civil penalties if they are held on the property of another person or on a public roadway or a public highway."

This rally will not be exactly in the town of Elkmont, or even in Thatch.

It's going to be a few miles down the road in an unincorporated portion of Limestone County.

And it's on private property.

So the group doesn't have to receive permits, for a parade or rally. 

Even if you don't like what they stand for, the bottom line, according to Oakes, is they have a legal right to be here, "Even thought the language itself is disturbing, and repugnant, our first amendment is designed to allow people to express their ideas."

Oakes says the freedom of speech gives all the chance to exchange ideas.

According to the organization, Saturday's event is to include food, games, vendors and a cross-burning ceremony. 

Flyers indicate no alcohol is being allowed on the premises.

To contact Bobby, email her at bshuttleworth@waff.com