KKK will rally Saturday in Blairsville

BLAIRSVILLE - The Ku Klux Klan plans a public demonstration in Blairsville Saturday.

The International Keystone Knights of the KKK said in a press release it has obtained a permit from the city of Blairsville to gather at the Union County Courthouse this Saturday.

While the press release indicated that KKK members had not been able to contact authorities about public safety measures, Union County Sheriff Scott Stephens said his deputies along with the Blairsville City Police and Fire Departments have met with demonstration organizers.

Stephens said the KKK has been assured that local agencies will provide safety measures to all parties involved.

Klan members plan to rally in full regalia starting at noon for at least two hours. Speakers will address issues ranging from the economy to homsexuality to immigration, according to the release.

The IKK garnered attention from the media when the State Department of Transportation turned down a request for the group to participate in its Adopt-A-Highway program. The group had filed an application to adopt a portion of Highway 515 in North Georgia near the North Carolina border.