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Klan Gets Stormy Reception In Newport, Tennessee
After weeks of rising tension, culminating in a Cross burning at the home of Roland Dykes, first Afican American Mayor of this East Tennessee town, a gaggle of Klan and Nazi groups brought their shabby show to the Cocke Co. Courthouse. 40 klansman, 200 counter-protestors, 100+ cops, 800 residents attend unity rally.
Klan Gets Stormy Reception In Newport, Tennessee
by W.B. Reeves, Indymedia
NEWPORT,TN, Jan 19--After weeks of rising tension, culminating in a Cross burning at the home of Roland Dykes, first Afican American Mayor of this East Tennessee town, a gaggle of Klan and Nazi groups brought their shabby show to the Cocke Co. Courthouse.
In a chilly downpour approximately 40 Klansmen and Nazi skinheads, led by Tennessee Grand Dragon Scott Fultz, gathered on the courthouse steps to preach their racist gospel. They were confronted by a crowd of 150 to 200 spirited counter-protestors. As various klansmen struggled to be heard over an inadequate PA system, their words were largely drowned out by the chants and drums of the counter protest. Protestors included local residents as well as groups and individuals from Knoxville, Chattanooga and Asheville, NC. Among the organizations participating were Katuah Earth First!, Chattanooga Bread Not Bombs, Knoxville Sevier Seven and Asheville Anti-Racist Action.
Security for the event was heavy with over a hundred helmeted, club wielding State Troopers and Sheriff's Deputies deployed between the Klansmen and protestors and around the immediate area. Some officers were armed with shotguns. Others vidoetaped events from a second floor window of the courthouse and snipers were stationed on the roof. According to one protest organizer, the police had let it be known that they were prepared fire tear gas on the crowd after one warning.
Not all klan supporters were on the Courthouse steps. Within the crowd of curious onlookers, some who were clearly sympathetic to the racists could be observed.
Nick Choromansky
One young man sporting a shaved head and bomber jacket unfurled a Nazi battle flag in the midst of the counter protestors. Identifying himself as Nick Choromansky of Cleveland, Ohio, he traded jeers with the anti-racists, proclaiming himself to be a friend of the klan despite their being "a bunch of rednecks." Echoing a view widespread in white supremacist circles, he went on to say that Americans had "..deserved.." the terrorist attacks of September 11. Asked whether he was a member of the Hammerskin Nation he refused to answer.
Others in the crowd took up the chant of White power & gave the Hitler salute. At one point police arrested and individual who had gotten into a shouting match with the anti-klan drummers. The man was held on a charge of public intoxication.
The rally was called by the Morristown,TN based White Knights of Yahweh and had been supported by the Alabama based White Knights Coalition. However, following the Wednesday night cross burning, the Alabama group issued a hurried statement denying any connection with those responsible for the crime.
According to the Alabama Grand Dragon, who refused to identify himself ostensibly from fear of assassination, such tactics belong to a different era and have nothing to do with the "New Klan".
Local reaction in Newport indicates that the Klan's effort was less than successful. Counter protest organizer Chris Irwin of Katuah Earth First! rated the Klan's rally as a flop. "We were much better organized." said Irwin, "These people were out of practice." In addition, while the Klan and it's supporters struggled against rain, cold and noisy opposition, an estimated 800 residents of Newport attended an interracial Diversity Rally at the local High School. There, while organizations such as Jobs With Justice and the East Tennessee Interfaith Alliance distributed literature and potatoe latkes and musicians entertained the crowd, Mayor Dykes urged those attending to continue the struggle for "freedom and justice".
by W.B. Reeves, Indymedia
NEWPORT,TN, Jan 19--After weeks of rising tension, culminating in a Cross burning at the home of Roland Dykes, first Afican American Mayor of this East Tennessee town, a gaggle of Klan and Nazi groups brought their shabby show to the Cocke Co. Courthouse.
In a chilly downpour approximately 40 Klansmen and Nazi skinheads, led by Tennessee Grand Dragon Scott Fultz, gathered on the courthouse steps to preach their racist gospel. They were confronted by a crowd of 150 to 200 spirited counter-protestors. As various klansmen struggled to be heard over an inadequate PA system, their words were largely drowned out by the chants and drums of the counter protest. Protestors included local residents as well as groups and individuals from Knoxville, Chattanooga and Asheville, NC. Among the organizations participating were Katuah Earth First!, Chattanooga Bread Not Bombs, Knoxville Sevier Seven and Asheville Anti-Racist Action.
Security for the event was heavy with over a hundred helmeted, club wielding State Troopers and Sheriff's Deputies deployed between the Klansmen and protestors and around the immediate area. Some officers were armed with shotguns. Others vidoetaped events from a second floor window of the courthouse and snipers were stationed on the roof. According to one protest organizer, the police had let it be known that they were prepared fire tear gas on the crowd after one warning.
Not all klan supporters were on the Courthouse steps. Within the crowd of curious onlookers, some who were clearly sympathetic to the racists could be observed.
Nick Choromansky
One young man sporting a shaved head and bomber jacket unfurled a Nazi battle flag in the midst of the counter protestors. Identifying himself as Nick Choromansky of Cleveland, Ohio, he traded jeers with the anti-racists, proclaiming himself to be a friend of the klan despite their being "a bunch of rednecks." Echoing a view widespread in white supremacist circles, he went on to say that Americans had "..deserved.." the terrorist attacks of September 11. Asked whether he was a member of the Hammerskin Nation he refused to answer.
Others in the crowd took up the chant of White power & gave the Hitler salute. At one point police arrested and individual who had gotten into a shouting match with the anti-klan drummers. The man was held on a charge of public intoxication.
The rally was called by the Morristown,TN based White Knights of Yahweh and had been supported by the Alabama based White Knights Coalition. However, following the Wednesday night cross burning, the Alabama group issued a hurried statement denying any connection with those responsible for the crime.
According to the Alabama Grand Dragon, who refused to identify himself ostensibly from fear of assassination, such tactics belong to a different era and have nothing to do with the "New Klan".
Local reaction in Newport indicates that the Klan's effort was less than successful. Counter protest organizer Chris Irwin of Katuah Earth First! rated the Klan's rally as a flop. "We were much better organized." said Irwin, "These people were out of practice." In addition, while the Klan and it's supporters struggled against rain, cold and noisy opposition, an estimated 800 residents of Newport attended an interracial Diversity Rally at the local High School. There, while organizations such as Jobs With Justice and the East Tennessee Interfaith Alliance distributed literature and potatoe latkes and musicians entertained the crowd, Mayor Dykes urged those attending to continue the struggle for "freedom and justice".
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