White supremacist organization, the Ku Klux Klan has decided to expand their membership by accepting Jews, African Americans, and those of Hispanic origin. In efforts to “re-brand” the notorious violent group, ‘the new Klan’ has been selected as its new name, but as an ode to tradition, incoming affiliates will still be expected to wear the white robes, masks and conical hats.
Instead of being a representation of hatred, the Rocky Mountain Knights have adopted the ‘a strong America’ as their new slogan. According to the organizer, John Abarr, “White supremacy is the old Klan. This is the new Klan. The KKK is for a strong America.”
Abarr settled on the change after meeting with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and stated,”I thought it was a really good organization, I don’t feel we should be separate.” However, KKKers believe their leader is only looking to advance his political career and is not truly interested in diversifying the group.
Bradly Jenkins, Imperial Wizard of the KKK, said: “That man’s going against everything the bylaws of the constitution of the KKK say. He’s trying to hide behind the KKK to further his political career.”
The Klan is currently classified as a hate group by the anti-semitism organization Anti-Defamation League and the civil rights non-profit Southern Poverty Law Center. Membership into ‘the new Klan‘ only requires that prospects are over the age of 18 and live in the Pacific Northwest.
The first Klan group was formed in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1865. Presently, there are similar groups scattered throughout the south and recent estimates say there are between 5,000 and 8,000 members.