Members of a Missouri-based Klu Klux Klan chapter are reportedly distributing fliers in Ferguson, Mo., in advance of the Michael Brown grand jury decision, warning violent protestors that the KKK will use "lethal force" in order to defend the community from "terrorists masquerading as 'peaceful protesters.'"
The chilling message, by the Traditionalist American Knights of the Klu Klux Klan, goes on to warn violent protestors and demonstrators that by threatening the lives of law enforcement, the community and their families, they have "awakened a sleeping giant."
"You have been warned by the Klu Klux Klan!" the flier reads. "There will be consequences for your actions against the peaceful, law abiding citizens of Missouri."
With a grand jury expected to announce this month whether or not to indict Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Mo., police officer who fatally shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown, the community of Ferguson has already started planning for any possible unrest that may occur once the decision is publicly made, Huffington Post reported.
With the distribution of these fliers, the KKK, who are known for repeatedly dispersing threatening notices in communities around the nation from Florida to Chicago, is promising that they will not stand for violence.
On Wednesday, MSNBC host Chris Hayes invited Frank Ancona, the leader of the KKK chapter in Missouri, to discuss reasons for spreading the fliers around Ferguson and to question Ancona on whether he noticed the irony in threatening violence with more violence, basically "attempting to bring about the exact same thing" they are against.
"No, actually it's addressing the people who are making these terroristic threats and letting them know that the people of Missouri have rights too. There are remedies under the law. The flier, if you read it, it says 'defend', it talks about defense. So, in order to defend yourself, that means you're being attacked," he stated.
In fact, the KKK leader believes the fliers have bought a positive effect and improved the situation in St. Louis, according to Inquisitr.
"It kind of came about from hundreds of calls we've been getting from residents of St. Louis County concerned with things that they are seeing on social media about random attacks on whites, D.C. sniper-style-type shootings, police officers being threatened that their wives are going to be raped and that they are all targets."
However this is not the first time that KKK has taken the initiative regarding a Ferguson cause. A week after Brown was shot, the group attempted to raise an unknown amount of money for Officer Wilson's legal defense fund.
Following Ancona's appearance on "All In," Hayes reportedly received criticism from viewers who shunned the host for giving the KKK leader a platform to share his controversial views.
"I still think it was the right call, in fact I may even feel that more strongly than I did last night. That said, I 100 percent understand why some people don't see it that way. We debated and wrestled with whether or not to do it and weighed the pros and cons and ultimately decided there was real news/journalistic value in putting him on," Hayes said in response to the criticism.
"We wouldn't have booked him to give us 'his take' or 'weigh in' on what's going in Ferguson or some other story. We interviewed him because he was actually the person distributing those fliers."
Meanwhile, St Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson also issued a message to the public Thursday on his website.
"The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office confirmed that a grand jury continues to hear evidence and that they expect a decision on charges for Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson soon. Although I can't predict the outcome of the process or what may occur as a result of the decision, as the City's Chief of Police, I can reassure you of the Metropolitan Police Department's commitment to your safety and your rights. No matter what the announcement is, the department's first priority is to protect and serve our citizens...and that includes protesters. And we are ready to do so."
