KKK group approved to host rally in downtown Ohio city

A group reportedly affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan was approved to have a rally in downtown Dayton, Ohio.

The Honorable Sacred Knights of Indiana was approved by Montgomery County to host a rally on Courthouse Square, a plaza in downtown Dayton that is often used for festivals and events, according to the Dayton Daily News.

{mosads}The rally is slated for May 25 with anywhere from 10 to 20 or more members planning to attend, according to the group’s permit application reviewed by the local news outlet.

The permit was approved Friday. Officials from Montgomery County said the group originally submitted its application for a permit using fake names.

Once the application was filled out properly, officials said they had no choice but to approve the request.

“We are legally obligated to provide access to public spaces where individuals can exercise their freedom of speech and right to assemble,” Montgomery County Administrator Michael Colbert told the Daily News. “More importantly, we will continue to work with our local law enforcement and community organizations to ensure public safety before, during and after the planned event.”

The group’s activities while holding the event will include “education and public speaking.”

Dayton is asking the group to consider changing the location of the rally or not having it at all.

“We invite the applicants to reconsider their decision to hold their rally in our community,” the city commissioners said in a statement. “Hate is not a Dayton value.”

The group, which lists itself as a Christian organization but is included on the Southern Poverty Law Center’s list of KKK hate groups, celebrated its approval for the event in a post on Facebook.

“Time to get our lawn chairs and popcorn,” the post read. “This is going to be a hell of a show watching the liberals cry with their drums.” 

A counter event to protest the rally has already been created on Facebook.