KKK flyers spark tension amid immigration crackdown in Midwest
In the United States, residents in the states of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana discovered Ku Klux Klan flyers urging immigrants to "leave now" and "avoid deportation." According to Fox19, these flyers are intended to intimidate immigrants, suggesting that failure to leave will result in deportation.
Bonnie J., a resident of Bellevue, Kentucky, shared her experience with Local 12: "I found it this morning when I came over, and it was literally lying next to my car," she recounted. The flyer contained a demand to leave the country and included contact information for local branches of the Ku Klux Klan. "It’s very scary to see something like that," she added.
The Bellevue police confirmed that the flyers have been discovered in various parts of the city.
"We are aware that racist flyers have been located in yards and other areas of the city. As disgusting as they are, currently the only criminal violation is littering and illegal posting of signage. Pictures of the flyers have been sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation so they are aware of the situation," stated the Bellevue Police Department.
The Ludlow police issued a similar statement, also noting the flyers' appearance in their area. "We are aware and have already taken one report for this disturbing and disgusting propaganda that is being passed around our community," they noted in the release.
Political context
The appearance of the flyers coincided with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation targeting immigrants deemed a "public threat." These actions fulfill campaign promises made by Donald Trump, who pledged to remove thousands of immigrants from the country.
The Ku Klux Klan, founded in 1865, has long sought to "purify" society of races other than white. Although currently less influential, the organization continues to advocate for white supremacy in the USA. In the 1920s, it had up to 4 million members, and its symbol became white robes and burning crosses. In 2016, "The Crusader," a newspaper associated with the KKK, praised Donald Trump's views, especially on immigration.
