Pro-Unity/Anti-Racist/Anti-KKK Protest at Kanawha Plaza

[Defenders Announcments]

Last week a notice was discovered on CraigsList that indicated a rally
would be held by the Imperial Klans of America (Ku Klux Klan) at
Kanawha Plaza this coming Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. The author of the
notice did not include any details except that they had acquired a
permit and would be holding a peaceful, legal gathering. Local
Richmond activists immediately called for a protest, an Anti-KKK
Rally, also at Kanawha Plaza, to take place from 4:30 - 6:00 pm on the
same day. Details can be found on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183797043783

This morning The Virginia Defender newspaper called the media
departments of the Richmond Police Department and the Department of
Parks and Recreation and was told that no permit has been applied for
or issued for any rally at Kanawha Plaza this Friday. On the other
hand, Parks and Rec says no permit is needed if there will be fewer
than 250 people, nothing is to be sold, there will be no disruption of
traffic, etc. (Interesting, since the Virginia People's Assembly had
to get a permit for a rally at Kanawha Plaza last January.) In
addition, upon rechecking CraigsList (Personals, Rants and Raves
section) - the original notice had been flagged for removal and then
removed. So, this means that a KKK Rally is not likely to take place,
and perhaps never was.

HOWEVER, whether the Klan rallies in Richmond or not, the Defenders
will be at the Anti-KKK protest and will help promote it. But we have
suggested it be billed as an anti-racist rally, denouncing not only
this KKK rally rumor, if that's what it is, but also the recent racist
graffiti attacks at area parks and the racist anti-Obama mural at 15th
and Main.

This is an opportunity, whatever the catalyst, for Richmonders to
Rally for Unity and Against Racism.

See you all on Friday

Phil Wilayto, Editor, The Virginia Defender
Ana Edwards, Host, DefendersLIVE
Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality