NAACP, KKK leaders in Capser, Wyoming have historic meeting

A historic meeting and a much needed conversation on race relations took place in Casper, Wyoming.

Leaders from the branches of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and NAACP held a historic meeting in Casper, Wyoming this past Saturday to discuss recent acts of violence against Black men and high KKK recruitment in the area, the Star Tribune reports.

Jimmy Simmons, the president of the NAACP’s branch in Casper, never expected to get a return letter from the KKK.

He had heard about violence against Black men in his area. Most incidences, the men were with white women when the assault happened. When the Klan showed up in town, Simmons considered rallying against them. But he decided to try something different : talking.

Simmons looked up information to contact the KKK, and contacted John Abarr of the United Klans of America about meeting in June. They two didn’t meet until several rules were set including heavy security.

The two discussed the KKK’s desires, segregation and violence against black men. Abarr revealed that he saw a rise in membership after the election of President Barack Obama and shared why he likes being in the Klan.

“I like it because you wear robes, and get out and light crosses, and have secret handshakes,” Abarr said, according to the Star-Tribune. “I like being in the Klan — I sort of like it that people think I’m some sort of outlaw.”

But Abarr, who believes violence against Black men is a hate crime and insists his group as a non-violent religious organization focused on political issues, said his branch of the KKK isn’t hateful enough for some, and that he really likes to “recruit really radical kids, then calm them down after they join.”