Imperial Klans of America
Encyclopedia
The Imperial Klans of America, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan is a white supremacist organization styled after the original Ku Klux Klan
(KKK). In 2008, it was reported that the IKA had the second largest KKK membership.
The IKA claims to be the sixth era of the Ku Klux Klan headed by Ron Edwards. Members of the 6th era, like members of previous eras, claim constitutional rights as part of the "Unorganized Militia". The IKA claims to stand upon Supreme Court decisions in favor of previous Klans. They are headquartered near Dawson Springs, Kentucky
and claim external Imperial Klan offices in Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, South Africa, South America, and throughout Europe.
In 2001, the IKA's annual "NordicFest" peaked with more than 300 people attending the event. The IKA was featured on National Geographic's "Inside American Terror" in 2008 and The History Channel
's Gangland
in 2009.
In 2010, the FBI arrested Ron Edwards and his girlfriend, Christine Gillette, for possession and distribution of controlled substances, including hydrocodone
and methamphetamine
.http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/ron_edwards_drug_arrest.htm
In 2011, a recurring hoax concerning the IKA endorsing Barack Obama
was once again exposed as a farce based on a parody website's humorous reporting. In fact in 2008 Ron Edwards was quoted as supporting John McCain.
and Panamanian
descent at a Kentucky county fair. In February 2007, IKA and Bill Waggoner Crew members Jarred Hensley and Andrew Watkins were convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for beating Gruver. The Southern Poverty Law Center
also filed a civil suit on Gruver's behalf in Meade County, Kentucky
against IKA "Imperial Wizard" Ron Edwards and the IKA for the actions of the IKA members. On November 14, 2008, an all-white jury of seven men and seven women awarded $1.5 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages to Gruver against Edwards.
During the case, the SPLC received nearly a dozen threats "promising the most dangerous threat" ever faced. A July 2007 letter allegedly came from Hal Turner
, a white supremacist talk show host. In 2007, Terrence was shown on CNN speaking at an event on the IKA Headquarters' grounds. On the second day of the civil trial, a former member of the IKA testified that the Klan had told him to kill Southern Poverty Law Center chief attorney Morris Dees
.
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
(KKK). In 2008, it was reported that the IKA had the second largest KKK membership.
The IKA claims to be the sixth era of the Ku Klux Klan headed by Ron Edwards. Members of the 6th era, like members of previous eras, claim constitutional rights as part of the "Unorganized Militia". The IKA claims to stand upon Supreme Court decisions in favor of previous Klans. They are headquartered near Dawson Springs, Kentucky
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
Dawson Springs is a city in Caldwell and Hopkins counties in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The population was 2,980 at the 2000 census. It is the birthplace of current governor of Kentucky, Steve L. Beshear. From the late 1800s to the 1930s, Dawson Springs was well known as a spa and resort town...
and claim external Imperial Klan offices in Australia, Canada, England, Scotland, South Africa, South America, and throughout Europe.
In 2001, the IKA's annual "NordicFest" peaked with more than 300 people attending the event. The IKA was featured on National Geographic's "Inside American Terror" in 2008 and The History Channel
The History Channel
History, formerly known as The History Channel, is an American-based international satellite and cable TV channel that broadcasts a variety of reality shows and documentary programs including those of fictional and non-fictional historical content, together with speculation about the future.-...
's Gangland
Gangland
Gangland is a computer game created by Mediamobsters . It was released on 14 February 2004. It has the premise of mixing real-time strategy , role-playing game and simulation .-Story:...
in 2009.
In 2010, the FBI arrested Ron Edwards and his girlfriend, Christine Gillette, for possession and distribution of controlled substances, including hydrocodone
Hydrocodone
Hydrocodone or dihydrocodeinone is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from either of two naturally occurring opiates: codeine and thebaine. It is an orally active narcotic analgesic and antitussive...
and methamphetamine
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs...
.http://www.adl.org/main_Extremism/ron_edwards_drug_arrest.htm
In 2011, a recurring hoax concerning the IKA endorsing Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
was once again exposed as a farce based on a parody website's humorous reporting. In fact in 2008 Ron Edwards was quoted as supporting John McCain.
Gruver v. IKA
In July 2006, 3 IKA members beat Jordan Gruver, a 16-year-old boy of Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
and Panamanian
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
descent at a Kentucky county fair. In February 2007, IKA and Bill Waggoner Crew members Jarred Hensley and Andrew Watkins were convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for beating Gruver. The Southern Poverty Law Center
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is an American nonprofit civil rights organization noted for its legal victories against white supremacist groups; legal representation for victims of hate groups; monitoring of alleged hate groups, militias and extremist organizations; and educational programs that...
also filed a civil suit on Gruver's behalf in Meade County, Kentucky
Meade County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,349 people, 9,470 households, and 7,396 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 10,293 housing units at an average density of...
against IKA "Imperial Wizard" Ron Edwards and the IKA for the actions of the IKA members. On November 14, 2008, an all-white jury of seven men and seven women awarded $1.5 million in compensatory damages and $1 million in punitive damages to Gruver against Edwards.
During the case, the SPLC received nearly a dozen threats "promising the most dangerous threat" ever faced. A July 2007 letter allegedly came from Hal Turner
Hal Turner
Harold Charles "Hal" Turner is an American white nationalist, Holocaust denier and blogger from North Bergen, New Jersey. In August 2010, he was convicted for making threats against three federal judges with the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals...
, a white supremacist talk show host. In 2007, Terrence was shown on CNN speaking at an event on the IKA Headquarters' grounds. On the second day of the civil trial, a former member of the IKA testified that the Klan had told him to kill Southern Poverty Law Center chief attorney Morris Dees
Morris Dees
Morris Seligman Dees, Jr. is the co-founder and chief trial counsel for the Southern Poverty Law Center , and a former direct mail marketeer for book publishing. Along with his law partner, Joseph J...
.
External links
- Official web site
- SPLC Trial Update: Imperial Klans of America from the Southern Poverty Law CenterSouthern Poverty Law CenterThe Southern Poverty Law Center is an American nonprofit civil rights organization noted for its legal victories against white supremacist groups; legal representation for victims of hate groups; monitoring of alleged hate groups, militias and extremist organizations; and educational programs that...