klan rallies in ann arbor Two years after rallying at Ann Arbor City Hall on June 3rd, 1996, members of the Indiana KKK announced plans to return. Since local protest took the form of a massive confrontation in ‘96, City Council ant the Ann Arbor Police Department (AAPD) sought ways to subdue confrontational protest this time around to maintain an image of peace, while still allowing the Klan members a protected platform for their speech.
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The Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ), with the support of City Council and in collaboration with AAPD set out to hold a massive community rally against the KKK’s message with the help of local choirs, spepches by local activists, musical performances, and attendees calling for “non-violence”. The purpose was to draw attention away from the KKK, counter their message. Organizers believed any form of resistance that incolved direct confrontation and “violence” would give the KKK exactly what they wanted: evidence to say that they’re victims in the situation.
cops & Klan Both AAPD and ICPJ took inspiration from the KKK rally in Louisville, KY deemed a success because it was characterized as peaceful. AAPD went to Louisville to learn tactics from thsir PD to subdue unwanted protest.
police officers will spend “ Several this weekend in Kentucky learning
what worked there. He said Louisville blocked off a large area and maintained a perimeter of fences, police and trained “peace workers” through which no one could pass without being searched
1998
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Top: Ann Arbor Daily News, April 17, 1998 Bottom: Ann Arbor Daily News,Scanned April 11, 1998 by CamScanner