KKK growing in strength, ADL reports

The Ku Klux Klan has experienced "a surprising and troubling resurgence" in the United States during the past year, an Anti-Defamation League report revealed Tuesday.

According to the report, the white supremacy group has successfully exploited issues such as immigration, gay marriage and urban crime to draw in new members and accelerate activity.

The ADL monitors the activities of hate groups and reports developments to policy makers and law enforcement agencies. ADL Civil Rights Director Deborah M. Lauter pointed to immigration as the key issue stirring up racist sentiments in the United States.

"If any one single issue or trend can be credited with re-energizing the Klan, it is the debate over immigration in America," said Lauter.

"Klan groups have witnessed a surprising and troubling resurgence by exploiting fears of an immigration explosion, and the debate over immigration has, in turn, helped to fuel an increase in Klan activity, with new groups sprouting in parts of the country that have not seen much activity," she added.

A surge in clan activity was identified especially in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The increase in activity was characterized by growing membership, establishment of new groups, increased cooperation with neo-Nazi groups, and new publicity tactics including dispatching flyers, publication over the internet and the launch of an internet-base radio station.

Lauter also noted the changing nature of klan members.

"Although some Klansmen may still hold cross-burnings dressed in robes and hoods, today's young Klansmen are more likely to look virtually indistinguishable from racist skinheads or neo-Nazis," said Lauter.

"Today's Klansmen may be as likely to gather at white power music concerts or socialize at so-called 'unity rallies' with other white supremacists, as to participate in ritualistic cross burnings in the rural wilderness," she added.