CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — A local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan is trying to recruit new members, and they've been passing out fliers in local communities. It has many people statewide upset and disgusted.
"I just hope people end up putting it in the trash where it belongs," Donna Lilly said.
Lilly didn't find her flyer, but Channel 9 found one in the street near her home. Channel 9 showed her what it looked like and she was surprised that the KKK is still around.
"I just didn't know there was anything like that still around in this day and age," Lilly said.
Eyewitness News saw flyers on the driveways up and down her street in Shelby. Channel 9 went to the people responsible to get answers.
The Imperial Wizard and another Klansman told Channel 9 they sent out 2,700 in Cleveland County alone. They didn't want to show their faces, but they said they want new members. Eyewitness News asked if they're growing.
"Oh yes, on a daily basis," one of them said.
They said they already have more than 200 followers in North Carolina.
They also said they're not violent, but they only allow white people in the group. Many people don't think that's a good or Christian message for so-called "Christian Knights."
"If you're a Christian you should love everyone no matter what color they are or what their background is," Lilly said.
Channel 9 received several phone calls and emails into the newsroom Wednesday from people upset about the fliers. The only people Channel 9 could find who were OK with them were the KKK members.
WSOC
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