A Ku Klux Klan group that staged a rally in Ohio last year — racking up a huge security bill to protect the nine participants — is reportedly planning a repeat in September that has officials worried about its proximity to Election Day.
The Honorable Sacred Knights of Indiana have submitted a permit application to hold a public speaking event in Dayton on Sept. 5. They last staged a Memorial Day protest in Dayton last May 25.
"Montgomery County has received an application from the same group that came to Courthouse Square last year. At this time, the application has not been approved," Montgomery County Administrator Michael Colbert told the TV station WHIO.
The application states that around 10 to 20 Honorable Sacred Knights of Indiana members are planning to show up.
Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley is hoping the permit will be rejected.
"I know many people are angry and afraid about the news that a hate group is planning to come back to Dayton. I'm angry too," Whaley said in a statement, the Dayton Daily News reported.
"I want people to know that the city is doing everything in our power to stop our community from having to go through this again. To start, the City Commission will introduce an anti-mask ordinance that will be on the calendar on March 11."
The anti-mask law is similar to Georgia legislation pushed through in 1951 to combat KKK gatherings.
Speaking to WOSU, Whaley added the fact might take place two months ahead of the 2020 Election Day is also making her "very nervous."
"It has nothing to do with Dayton and everything to do with the national contest,” she said. “That makes me very concerned about this."
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