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Flyers distributed by a Kentucky-based Ku Klux Klan group appeared in Northern Indiana in November.
By: Rafael Tortolero
Multimedia specialist
In mid-November, multiple flyers were found scattered throughout St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties. The flyers, signed by the Trinity White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, suggested that immigrants leave the country before a mass deportation takes place on Jan. 20, 2025 after the transition of presidential power. They also called Americans to “monitor and track” and report immigrants, featuring imagery of Uncle Sam kicking a family, including a hijabi girl and a hijabi woman.
The group stated that the flyers were only “informative” and admitted to distributing them. They also informed the public that they have members throughout the state of Indiana.
Government officials from the two counties spoke out against the flyers. South Bend Mayor James Muller told 16 News that he found the flyers to be “disturbing and repulsive”, reassuring South Bend residents that there is no place for such rhetoric.
“South Bend is a welcoming community,” Mayor Muller stated. “We will continue to celebrate our rich diversity and build an inclusive city for all residents”
The mayor of Goshen, Gina Leichty, also spoke out, agreeing that Goshen was not the place for those kinds of beliefs.
“Let me be clear: Goshen stands united against any form of discrimination, intimidation, or harassment,” Mayor Leichty wrote in a statement to the Goshen community. “We remain committed to ensuring that all who work toward the good of Goshen are treated with dignity and respect.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center reports that as of 2023, there were 10 active, official chapters of the Ku Klux Klan in the U.S., one of which is located in Auburn, Indiana (the Silent Knights). The SPLC also noted that the Trinity White Knights – the same group that distributed flyers in Northern Indiana – were responsible for most KKK flyer-distribution incidents in 2023.
IU South Bend policy prohibits discrimination against individuals based on age, skin color, race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. Any incident of discrimination can be reported for investigation to the Office of Institutional Equity and Inclusive Excellence at southbend.iu.edu/affirmative-action.
