Back Imperial Klans of America German Imperial Klans of America French הקלאנים האימפריאליים של אמריקה HE Imperial Klans of America ID
| Formation | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | White supremacy White nationalism Neo-Nazism Antisemitism Homophobia[1] Anti-miscegenation Christian Identity[2] |
| Headquarters | Dawson Springs, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Ron Edwards | |
| Affiliations | Ku Klux Klan |
| Website | imperialklansofamerica.com (archived) |
The Imperial Klans of America, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (IKA) is a white supremacist, white nationalist, neo-Nazi paramilitary organization. Until the late 2000s, it was the second largest Klan group in the United States,[2] and at one point in the early 2000s, it was the largest.[3] In 2008, the IKA was reported to have at least 23 chapters in 17 states, most of which were small.[4]
Since then, the IKA has been weakened by a $2.5 million judgment which was imposed on its leader, Ron Edwards, and several of its members, in 2008, for the beating of a 16-year-old teenager of Native American descent, followed by Edwards' conviction and a 4-year prison sentence on drug and gun charges in 2011.[3] Although the IKA remains active in 2020,[2][5] it had dwindled to only 2 chapters by 2012.[3]
The IKA is headquartered at a compound in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, which serves as a venue for the hate-rock gathering Nordic Fest.[2] The group describes itself as the sixth era of the Ku Klux Klan, and as such, it argues that it has constitutional rights as part of the "Unorganized Militia" and it also argues that it stands upon Supreme Court decisions in favor of previous Klans.[6]
In 2011, a recurring hoax concerning the IKA's endorsement of Barack Obama was once again exposed as a farce based on a parody website's humorous reporting.[7] In fact, in 2008, Ron Edwards was quoted as supporting John McCain, despite expressing strong dislike for him, as a means of preventing Obama from taking office.[8]
- ^ "The Klan Political Agenda". imperialklansofamerica.com. Archived from the original on 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2020-10-09.
Outlaw homo-sexuality and inter-racial marriages.Until 20 or so years ago, nearly all states had 'sodomy' and miscegenation laws and statutes that were strictly enforced. Since that time they have been repealed or are ignored, the results are obvious with the plague of AIDS now ravaging our land. Both of these abominations against God and nature must be stopped if America is ever to return to the great Christian nation it once was.
- ^ a b c d "Imperial Klans of America". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "No. 2 Klan group on trial in Ky. teen's beating". NBC News. November 11, 2008. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
- ^ IKA. "Home". IKA. Archived from the original on 2020-06-22. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
- ^ "Imperial Klans of America International Headquarters". Imperial Klans of America. 2008. Archived from the original on August 10, 2007. Retrieved September 18, 2007.
- ^ "FACT CHECK: Barack Obama Endorsed by the KKK". Snopes. 23 November 2010.
- ^ "Why White Supremacists Support Barack Obama". 11 June 2009.