Listen Here
By Victoria Hansen, HansenV@Findlay.edu
On Feb. 23, around 50 KKK “recruitment flyers” littered the ground in Findlay, Bowling Green, Bluffton and Perrysburg.
“It is my belief that this material was distributed in an effort to gain attention, create fear, and fan the flames of dehumanization and intimidation toward members of our community. This is unacceptable and not representative of our community. I plan to give them no further attention,” Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn said in a statement, “Hate will not be tolerated in our community.”
This isn’t the first instance of KKK presence in Findlay.
“Back in the 1990s — 1995-1996 time frame — there were some planned rallies by the KKK that came into our area, specifically some rallies in Bowling Green at the Wood County Courthouse,” said Hancock County Sheriff Michael Cortez. “We did go help those other law enforcement agencies to provide security to ensure everybody was safe during those rallies, but there’s been nothing since then.”
During the same time as the 1990 KKK rallies, people also came together to protest against them, according to Sherriff Cortez
Despite the racist messaging, the KKK exercises their right to free speech through flyers.
“We denounce any kind of rhetoric surrounding hate or hate speech, but while me and others don’t agree with it, we do have to recognize that they have free speech,” Cortez said.
While the KKK holds free speech rights in Hancock County, their rights on the University of Findlay’s campus differ.
“With UF, we’re a private school,” UF Chief of Police William Spraw said. “The KKK can say whatever they want on the sidewalk or in front of the courthouse, but not on UF property.”
Despite no flyers appearing on UF’s campus, the University’s anti-soliciting policy remains in effect, especially against hate groups like the Klan.
“Call us or throw it away,” Chief Spraw said.
Sheriff Cortez made a similar point and stressed not to call the numbers on the flyers.
“Are you trying to legitimize their cause? Because that’s what you’re doing when you do any action that they were calling for,” Sheriff Cortez said. “Our best approach is to stand up as a community and refuse to acknowledge this type of activity, because we don’t accept that type of activity in our community. That’s not who we are.”
While people shouldn’t engage with the KKK, ignoring the Klan isn’t an option.
“Have those conversations with your friends and family. Use your own platforms, if that’s what you choose to do to spread acceptance of all humanity and all people, of all walks of life,” Cortez said. “In the end, Hancock County is a place that you can come to be respected, no matter who you are, where you come from, or what walk of life you bring with you. Everyone is welcome here except for the Klan.”
