Letter to Grande H Lum, Director of Community Relations Service of the Department of Justice - Casey Calls on DOJ to Send Community Relations Service to Camp Hill

Letter

Director Grande H. Lum
U.S. Department of Justice
Community Relations Service

Dear Director Lum,

I write to request that the Community Relations Service provide assistance to the residents of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and other affected communities responding to the actions of the Traditional American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.

The Traditional American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan describes itself as a "white patriotic Christian organization that bases its roots back to the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) of the early 20th century." As you know, the KKK has been classified as a hate group by both the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Historically, the KKK has engaged in horrific campaigns of racially-motivated harassment and violence. There are currently twelve chapters of the Traditional American Knights of the KKK in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with an estimated 40 to 50 members per chapter.

You may be aware that in April 2014, the Traditional American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan distributed fliers in Fairview Township, Pennsylvania, which included an image of a KKK member in a white hood, with a note announcing a "Neighborhood Watch" by the Traditional American Knights of the KKK. I was pleased that a representative from the Community Relations Service participated in Fairview Township community meeting focused on how to address the presence of the KKK.

Last week, several residents of Camp Hill called on the Traditional American Knights to institute a neighborhood watch in Camp Hill like that in Fairview Township. The leader of the organization confirmed that a neighborhood watch was under consideration for Camp Hill. Given the historical context surrounding the KKK, it is critical that communities faced with a KKK presence receive all available federal assistance in determining how best to respond to these actions.

No American should live in fear of harassment or violence on the basis of race. I request that your office maintain involvement in Fairview Township and offer advice and assistance to the community of Camp Hill in determining how to address the Traditional American Knights of the KKK and ensure that all members of the community feel safe from discrimination. Thank you for your attention to my concerns, and I look forward to your response.

Source