Klan Backers, Foes Clash in Indiana

Hundreds of Ku Klux Klan supporters and opponents clashed Saturday at a rally on the steps of the Indiana Statehouse as scattered fights broke out and several people were hurt, authorities said.

Those injured included three newspaper photographers who were struck by members of the crowd. Officials said seven people in all were treated.

The klan and counterdemonstrators dueled with loudspeakers for about half an hour, shouting back and forth before the white supremacists retreated into the Statehouse.

Police in riot gear kept opponents about 100 feet away, but fights broke out as klan supporters, trying to leave after the rally, encountered some of those who had gathered to oppose the KKK.

Mayor Stephen Goldsmith accused hate groups from Detroit, New York and elsewhere of stirring up trouble.

“They converged to bring a hateful message to Indy,” the mayor said. “We did our best and what was legally possible to keep the groups separated.”