Athens, Alabama KKK (Ku Klux Klan) Rally and Counter-Protests September 2007
I decided to photograph this KKK rally and counter-protest in Athens one Saturday. The speakers spewed the typical paranoid racist filth you'd expect, and I felt sorry for the children whose parents brought them there for indoctrination (so that they too may hate the A-rabs, mexicans, etc.)
Fortunately there were many gawkers and photographers besides myself, who were just there for the freakshow. I heard one woman state "I'm from the west coast and the people back home don't believe we still have these, so I'm getting some pictures to send back!"
A counter-protest (the people with the "Love" signs) was organized by a local church (see this story www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/news/1189... ) and they nearly outnumbered the actual rally. Several chants erupted ("KKK go away!", etc.), and a woman with a big German Shepard walked around quite close to the speakers, shouting angrily back at them.
Several times, police formed a "wall" between the two main factions. When two women approached the main area with a large Mexican flag, they were turned away. All in all, I'd say the police did a surprisingly good job keeping things peaceful while still allowing everyone to express themselves. I didn't see any photographers harassed by law enforcement.
In the end, the klan members retreated to the city hall while the counter-protest was slowly dispersed.
Comments and faves
Sola Lumina Captura added this photo to his favorites. (57 months ago)
angsty_otaku (54 months ago | reply)
It is sad that things like this still happen. But, when you're in the "land of the free", I suppose anything goes.
Kurt Tarvis added this photo to his favorites. (53 months ago)
lasvegashardcore (50 months ago | reply)
I love the guys mustache
Zapp Brannigann (49 months ago | reply)
Nice buckle dude!
ShacklefordPhotoArt (46 months ago | reply)
gripen
Not sure what country you are from but you need to go back...the education thing is not working for you.
LiamCH added this photo to his favorites. (42 months ago)
nschu91 [deleted] (41 months ago | reply)
Its a scary day when you realize groups like this are still around. But for everyone 1 person in hate group there are 5 people there to protest.
dailyfortnight (41 months ago | reply)
I don't understand racism. If the guy with the moustache has such a problem with the colour black, why does he wear black clothes?
blizzardfinder41 (40 months ago | reply)
I don't agree with the Ku Klux Klan either. I do believe however, that Africans, due to belonging to an evolutional niche 200,000 years ago are less evolutionally advanced than, than Caucasians and Asians, whobelong to an evolutional niche 6,500 years ago. Therefore, due to the fact that a figure of greater intellegence is a guard to those of lesser intelligence, the white and asian races should keep crime out of black neighborhoods, and try to guard them from temptation that comes from an ghetto lifestyle.
hot_mom67 added this photo to her favorites. (40 months ago)
oinonio (40 months ago | reply)
That guy handing out papers with the KKK belt buckle knows he looks like Borat, right?
Yuck Fou Bumb Ditch! [deleted] (38 months ago | reply)
Perfect place for a bomb.
nwarn1217 (37 months ago | reply)
What's the point of their rally?
hamhaewk52 [deleted] (35 months ago | reply)
molotov their asses
johnlamb and kohl added this photo to their favorites.
dantasia (32 months ago | reply)
these people are nothing but hateful scum! they are the decay of society. if there was a true reason for the hatred i could understand. and they say they are doing this for jesus and god... did they not know that jesus was a freakin jew?
Sabotage!! (29 months ago | reply)
Leather pants and a mustache....seems like YMCA to me. I thought the kkk hated faggots..
wanna see a dead body? added this photo to their favorites. (26 months ago)
Kilo 66 (26 months ago | reply)
Note the prominent Confederate flag patches on the braindead racist wankers. Gee, I wonder why the local Sons of Confederate Veterans chapter didn't show up to protest THAT. "Heritage not hate," the neo-Confederates like to say. Ha! More like "heritage OF hate."
Kadi002 (26 months ago | reply)
They are a bunch of racists who don't know what the hell they are talking about. They say our society is going to shit because of all the people who aren't white when THIS IS THE REASON our country IS shit! They want peace and love but they are the ones causing war. Black and Mexican people aren't the ONLY people who live off welfare your white mom probably does too... SO GET OVER IT!!! If you don't like it move to another country. And stop acting like your better than everybody else ass holes. We will not have another war on this land unless you people cause one.
This photo was invited and added to the Global Photojournalism; Politics, News, Protest, and Culture group.
{ Chase | Jackson } (18 months ago | reply)
I remember when this happened (I live in Athens)
sscenemaster added this photo to his favorites. (14 months ago)
pizza+mayo=adogsfave (2 months ago | reply)
fucking losers.