Readers’ message to KKK group: Keep out
We heard from quite a few readers about Montgomery County’s decision last week to deny a permit for a Ku Klux Klan-related group’s request to return to Courthouse Square this year. The latest: Dayton commissioners approved an ordinance to ban wearing masks “while breaking the law or taking part in threatening behavior,” aimed at discouraging the group. Here are some of your comments:
From Joyce Ward: “No, I don’t want KKK to visit Dayton. But aren’t we giving them what they want ... attention? Would it work if we just ignored them?”
From Jody Grinnell: “I don’t understand this at all! Who gets the money? How many cities do they visit? Do those cities pay for their visit? This is a great deal of money. Money Dayton could put to use for things that its citizens could use to enrich and update our city.
“I don’t know if this is true, but I heard that the attendance last year was very low. I can’t say for sure because I didn’t make a trip downtown to attend such an event. Do they make speeches, explain the reason for their visit? Tell us about their involvement in cities they visit or improve places they visit? They are not invited to come. They simply inform us they are coming and that they ‘will not be deterred.’
“They are coming here uninvited, cause significant threat to public health and safety, impose an undue burden on local law enforcement, impose a negative impact on commerce and costs of security totaling $770,000. We hosted them last year and the City of Dayton paid our $770,000. I don’t think we can afford their “visits.” Will they be coming next year? Will this shakedown be an annual event? As Barney Fife famously said, ‘We’ve got to nip it in the bud.’”
From Russ Joslin: “Why can’t Montgomery County bill the group for the expenses that were incurred last year? They could then say that a permit would be issued if they paid that bill, plus $750,000 for this year’s expenses. Also they should threaten to sue for the past bill.
“This shows that they are willing to give the group a permit, if they fulfill these reasonable conditions. This might counter the freedom of speech and assembly suit, which the group has threatened to file.”
From Barbara Marsh: “I don’t think the request should have been denied outright. Rather the county should have itemized the cost to protect the gathering and stated they can speak as long as they covered the cost for security.
“Why don’t we have a corner (like they do in London) where anyone can stand on the “soapbox” and pontificate on whatever suits their fancy? People can then choose to listen or ignore.
“I do agree with the no mask proposal. If you want to espouse a specific ideology, then you should show your face.”
From David Cool: “I just read your article in Saturday’s paper and the decision by the county and city. Thankfully the county and city are doing the right thing.
“The first time the KKK came was a First Amendment case. However, after that, knowing the costs to the budget, etc., the city and county would have to start figuring into their yearly budget those costs to allow this to occur. At that point, it appears that the city and county are supporting the KKK’s yearly mission of hate and potential for violence, both monetarily, and in time and resources spent on yearly strategy meetings, etc., to condone this event.
“There can be no justification for that in the yearly budget for the city and county and thus, there can then be no other decision but to say no. Just my thoughts this morning.”
Ron Rollins
Community Impact Editor