Klan leader answers questions about Cedar Rapids literature

It was a puzzling, and possibly disturbing, discovery made by some northeast side Cedar Rapids residents this weekend.

Some found fliers containing Ku Klux Klan messages, such as a hooded figure with the words “you can sleep tonight knowing the Klan is watching.”  But one leader of a Missouri-based Klan group mentioned in the fliers denied the messages were targeting any individual city resident.

Tyrone White was the first to call Sunday after he picked up a resealable plastic bag weighted down with stones and holding a Klan message.  But more residents followed suit on Monday, saying the plastic bags containing the Klan fliers were scattered up and down a number of Cedar Rapids  residential streets.

Bob Hildenbrand also found one in his driveway, and didn't quite know what to make of it.

“It didn't really bother me, but I couldn't understand in this neighborhood they'd be doing something like that because we've never had any trouble,” Hildenbrand said.

The fliers distributed in parts of Cedar Rapids came with a phone number that reached a recorded message.  Frank Ancona, who identified himself as the Traditionalist American Knights Imperial Wizard, called back and answered some questions about the Missouri-based group's methods.

Ancona wouldn't identify any Iowa members or say if the group was actively working in Cedar Rapids right now.  But he did say the group's Web site offers fliers anyone can print out and distribute on their own.

“Maybe one of the local leaders decided there was some crime activity in that particular area and wanted to get the word out to people they were keeping an eye on the neighborhood,” Ancona said.

Ancona said members sometimes use stones in plastic bags to keep the literature from blowing around.

Cedar Rapids police said there's no sign of anyone with a Klan connection actually doing a neighborhood watch effort, despite the flier's message.

Sam Bergus, who also found some of the flyers in bags, said at the very least people need to know what is going on.

“I'd say alarmed would be a good way to put it,” Bergus said, “alarmed that this organization has a presence enough in this area to be distributing literature.”

Karl Cassell, executive director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, said his group also got notified about the Klan literature.  The director said if there is a complaint, they'll investigate.  But he also agreed with police that the leaflets, even if offensive, don't qualify as hate speech unless they're directed at an individual.