From the Lismore Northern Star:

Mundine condemns Klan letters
12.08.2006
By MEGAN KINNINMENT

BOXING legend Tony Mundine has voiced his disgust at the racist hate mail sent to Aboriginal families at Goonellabah on Thursday.

Mr Mundine, the former Australian boxing champion, and father and trainer of Anthony, said he was saddened to hear about the racist letter claiming to be from a member of the Ku Klux Klan.

The letter writer, who claims to be one of 415 Ku Klux Klan members operating in the area, threatens to bash Aboriginal children living in Shearman Drive, Goonellabah.

Arriving yesterday to attend last night’s Aboriginal Debutante Ball in Lismore, Mr Mundine said racism was a permanent feature of Australian life.

“This is very sad. We’re all human beings,” Mr Mundine said.

“Racism is still bad in this country and it’s not getting any better.”

Mr Mundine advised local families not to take the letter seriously.

“Don’t worry about it. Don’t let it stop you from living your life,” he said.

Mr Mundine said he wanted police to be thorough with their investigations into finding the person responsible for the letters.

Also speaking out against the racist letters was the organiser of last night’s debutante ball, Darryl Creighton.

“This is a step backwards for reconciliation,” Mr Creighton said.

“Unfortunately you get ding-alings who do things like this and it puts us back in the dark ages.

“But we don’t let little things like this bother us,” he said.

Police were yesterday following intelligence that the letter was linked to a Casino chapter of the Ku Klux Klan.

Richmond Area Command Superintendent Bruce Lyons condemned the letter as threatening and racially offensive.

The letter follows warnings last month from former American Ku Klux Klan leader and now Christian preacher Rev Johnny Lee Clary, that the klan was active here.

Anyone with information about the letters should contact Lismore Police on 66231299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.