From the Lismore Northern Star:

KKK ACTIVE IN AREA
01.07.2006
By MEGAN KINNINMENT

Whistleblower says locally-based klansmen are warning him away from the Northern Rivers

A BRANCH of the Ku Klux Klan is still operating at Casino, a former leader of the US white supremacist organisation claims.

And Johnny Lee Clary says he’s been warned to stay out of town during an upcoming speaking tour.

Reverend Clary, the former leader turned whistleblower, who now travels the world as an evangelical Christian preacher, is giving two talks in Lismore and Casino next week.

“One of the reasons I’m coming to Casino is because the Klan is there and it is active,” Rev Clary told The Northern Star.

“I’ve been warned by the Klan in Casino not to come. They’ve passed on a message to me that I better not turn up. But that’s like a red flag to a bull,” he said.

“I’m going to come because of the bigotry there.”

It is believed that the Casino klavern (Klan group) belongs to the Imperial Klans of America, the largest in the US.

The IKA claims to have klaverns in Wentworthville, Coonabarabran and Gosford, and there is a Casino post office box address listed on the IKA’s website as one of its Australian contacts.

In 2000 a Casino Aboriginal pastor called on the group to show themselves and declare their intentions.

In March, 2000, 13 wooden crosses were burnt near the Box Ridge Aboriginal Community at Coraki.

And in April, 2001, Casino resident Colin Houston dressed up in a KKK gown and hood and, brandishing a black baton, patrolled the street outside an Aboriginal housing estate in Casino.

Richmond Valley mayor Charlie Cox said yesterday he was shocked and saddened by the new reports.

“I have no knowledge of any Ku Klux Klan activity, and I certainly wouldn’t like anyone to take their views to such extremes,” he said.

Cr Cox said the Casino Klan members should show themselves and not hide behind a post office box address.

The organiser of Rev Clary’s Northern Rivers appearances, Nick Sayers of the Potters House Christian Fellowship in Lismore, said yesterday there were definitely KKK members in Casino.

“It’s all hush, hush, very secretive, but I have been talking to people who are friends with Klan members and they are definitely operating here,” Mr Sayers said.