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[[Image:Artoon.jpg|right|thumb|A political cartoon depicting the KKK and the Democratic party as continuations of the Confederacy]]

[[Image:Artoon.jpg|right|thumb|A political cartoon depicting the KKK and the Democratic party as continuations of the Confederacy]]

The '''Ku Klux Klan''' ('''KKK''') is a racist social and political organization in the [[United States]]. It aims at the suppression of [[African-American]], [[Jewish]], [[Homosexual]], and [[Catholic]] interests.  [[Violence]] and [[intimidation]] are historically the means used to achieve these ends.  The group reached the zenith of its power in the 1920s, boasting membership in the millions, but has been in decline since the late 1960s.<ref>http://www.crimelibrary.com/terrorists_spies/terrorists/birmingham_church/2.html</ref>  Its current active membership is estimated to be less than 10,000 in the United States. The Klan presents itself as a Christian organization, but most Christians who are not members deem it to be inherently un-Christian if not anti-Christian.   

The '''Ku Klux Klan''' ('''KKK''') is a racist social and political organization in the [[United States]]. It aims at the suppression of [[African-American]], [[Jewish]], [[Homosexual]], and [[Catholic]] interests.  [[Violence]] and [[intimidation]] are historically the means used to achieve these ends.  The group reached the zenith of its power in the 1920s, boasting membership of one million, but has been in decline since the late 1960s.<ref>http://www.crimelibrary.com/terrorists_spies/terrorists/birmingham_church/2.html</ref>  Its current active membership is estimated to be less than 10,000 in the United States. The Klan presents itself as a Christian organization, but most Christians who are not members deem it to be inherently un-Christian if not anti-Christian.   

A notable former member of the KKK is [[West Virginia]] Democratic Senator [[Robert Byrd]].  This occurred before the [[Dixiecrat|Dixiecrat Revolt]], prior to which the [[Democratic Party]] was overwhelmingly the party of the South, and affiliated with [[Jim Crow]] laws.  [[Harry S. Truman]] was also a member early in his political career.<ref>http://www.crimelibrary.com/terrorists_spies/terrorists/birmingham_church/2.html</ref>  The modern [[Democratic Party]] has shed its ties with the KKK.<ref>Earl Black, "the Rise of the Southern Republicans," Harvard University Press 2002.</ref>  Another, whose membership in the Klan is more recent, is [[David Duke]], who was a Democrat at the time of his official membership with the Klan, and after leaving served as a [[Louisiana]] Republican Representative and as chairman of the party in St. Tammany Parish while maintaining his ties to white supremacist organizations like the NAAWP, which he founded.  Despite being in the minority, Duke authored the anti-Affirmative Action House Bill 1013 (1990) which was passed by  

A notable former member of the KKK is [[West Virginia]] Democratic Senator [[Robert Byrd]].  This occurred before the [[Dixiecrat|Dixiecrat Revolt]], prior to which the [[Democratic Party]] was overwhelmingly the party of the South, and affiliated with [[Jim Crow]] laws.  [[Harry S. Truman]] was also a member early in his political career.<ref>http://www.crimelibrary.com/terrorists_spies/terrorists/birmingham_church/2.html</ref>  The modern [[Democratic Party]] has shed its ties with the KKK.<ref>Earl Black, "the Rise of the Southern Republicans," Harvard University Press 2002.</ref>  Another, whose membership in the Klan is more recent, is [[David Duke]], who was a Democrat at the time of his official membership with the Klan, and after leaving served as a [[Louisiana]] Republican Representative and as chairman of the party in St. Tammany Parish while maintaining his ties to white supremacist organizations like the NAAWP, which he founded.  Despite being in the minority, Duke authored the anti-Affirmative Action House Bill 1013 (1990) which was passed by  

*[http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/events/conferences/watchdog2/4th_panel_nonprof.html Nieman Watchdog Project.  Nonprofit Organizations. Spring 1999 Conference].

*[http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/events/conferences/watchdog2/4th_panel_nonprof.html Nieman Watchdog Project.  Nonprofit Organizations. Spring 1999 Conference].

*Raymond A. Schroth, [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_44_36/ai_66888046 HATE.COM - Morris Dees and HBO documentary receive negative assessment], National Catholic Reporter,  Oct 13, 2000.

*Raymond A. Schroth, [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1141/is_44_36/ai_66888046 HATE.COM - Morris Dees and HBO documentary receive negative assessment], National Catholic Reporter,  Oct 13, 2000.

[[category:United States History]]

[[category:United States History]]