NCJ Number
46433
Date Published
1976
Length
179 pages
Annotation
THE RESULTS OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ACTIVITIES OF THE KU KLUX KLAN (KKK) IN ILLINOIS AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EXTENT OF GROWTH OF THE ORGANIZATION IN THAT STATE ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
IN MARCH 1975, ILLINOIS NEWS MEDIA REPORTED THAT MEMBERSHIP OF THE KU KLUX KLAN, WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN ALMOST UNKNOWN IN THE STATE, HAD RISEN TO A TOTAL OF NEARLY 2,000. AS A RESULT OF THESE REPORTS AND WIDESPREAD PUBLIC INDIGNATION OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF KLAN EXPANSION INTO ILLINOIS, THE STATE LEGISLATURE DIRECTED THE PREPARATION OF FOUR REPORTS ON KLAN ACTIVITIES. THE INFORMATION IN THIS FINAL REPORT WAS PROVIDED BY UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATORS WHO OBSERVED FIRSTHAND THE WORKINGS OF THE GROUP. A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF THE KLAN IS PRESENTED WHICH TRACES ITS GROWTH FROM THE POST-CIVIL WAR SOUTH THROUGH VARIOUS DECLINES AND REVIVALS TO MODERN TIMES. THE AUTHORS EXPHASIZE THE FACT THAT THE KLAN IS NOT A SINGLE, UNITED ORGANIZATION WITH AN UNINTERRUPTED HISTORY REACHING BACK 100 YEARS. THERE EXIST PERHAPS DOZENS OF SEPARATE KLAN ORGANIZATIONS, AND OVER TIME THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL PERIODS OF MAJOR KLAN ACTIVITY DURING WHICH VARIOUS GROUPS BECAME NATIONALLY PROMINENT, THEN FADED AWAY. AS OF 1976, THERE ARE TWO MAJOR KLAN ORGANIZATIONS WITH A NATIONWIDE MEMBERSHIP OF APPROXIMATELY 1,700; A NUMBER OF SMALLER GROUP ALSO EXIST. THE GENERAL ORGANIZATION OF THE KLAN IS DESCRIBED, INCLUDING ITS REGIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE AND COMMAND HIERARCH, AND ITS STATED PURPOSES. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KLAN IN ILLINOIS DESCRIBES THE GROUPS EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH LOCAL GROUPS THERE SINCE THE 1920'S. THE KLAN'S RENEWED ORGANIZATIONAL EFFORTS SINCE MARCH 1975 ARE OUTLINED, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON ITS INTERNAL POLITICS, THE CONFLICTS AND SPLITS BETWEEN RIVAL FACTIONS, AND THEIR FAILURES TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN ILLINOIS TOWNS. THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE VARIOUS GROUPS WAS FOUND TO BE LESS THAN 100 STATEWIDE. THE FINAL CHAPTER INCLUDES THE INVESTIGATORY COMMISSION'S ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENT AND POTENTIAL THREAT POSED BY THE EXISTENCE OF THE KKK IN THE STATE. THE COMMISSION EMPHASIZES THAT TODAY'S KU KLUX KLAN IS NOT A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, AND ITS LEADERS GENERALLY FROWN ON VIOLENCE BY MEMBERS. THEY WISH PRIMARILY TO ACHIEVE THE ORGANIZATION'S GOALS THROUGH PEACEFUL, LEGAL MEANS. APPENDIXES TO THE REPORT PROVIDE A GLOSSARY OF KKK TERMINOLOGY; A COPY OF THE KLANSMAN'S OATH; AN OUTLINE OF THE STATED GOALS OF THE UNITED KLANS OF AMERICA (ONE OF THE MAJOR KKK GROUPS); AND A COPY OF 'THE KLANSMAN'S MANUAL,' A DOCUMENT PREPARED BY THE UNITED KLANS OF AMERICA TO EXPLAIN THE ORGANIZATION TO NEW MEMBERS. THE MANUAL CONSISTS OF EXCERPTS FROM AN EARLY KKK CONSTITUTION AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE ORGANIZATION, MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS, AND KLAN RITUALS. (VDA)