Ku Klux Klan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as
The Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right[2][3][4][5] organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically expressed through terrorism.[6][7]
Since the mid-20th century, the KKK has also been anti-communist.[6] The current manifestation is splintered into several chapters and is classified as a hate group.[8]
Neo-Nazi alliances and Stormfront
Main article: Stormfront (website)
In 1995, Don Black and Chloê Hardin, former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke's ex-wife, began a small bulletin board system (BBS) called Stormfront. T
oday, Stormfront has become a prominent online forum for white nationalism, Neo-Nazism, hate speech, racism, and antisemitism.[122][123][124] Duke has an account on Stormfront which he uses to post articles from his own website, as well as polling forum members for opinions and questions, in particular during his internet broadcasts. Duke has worked with Don Black on numerous projects including Operation Red Dog in 1980.[125][126]
Modern statistics
The modern KKK is not one organization; rather it is composed of small independent chapters across the US.[127] The formation of independent chapters has made KKK groups more difficult to infiltrate, and researchers find it hard to estimate their numbers.
Estimates are that about two-thirds of KKK members are concentrated in the Southern United States, with another third situated primarily in the lower Midwest.[128][129][130] KKK members have stepped up recruitment in recent years, but the organization grows slowly, with membership estimated at 5,000–8,000 across 179 chapters. These recent membership campaigns have been based on issues such as people's anxieties about illegal immigration, urban crime and same-sex marriage.[131]
Many KKK groups have formed strong alliances with other white supremacist groups, such as neo-Nazis. Some KKK groups have become increasingly "Nazified",
adopting the look and emblems of white power skinheads.[132]
