Ku Klux Klan Gets Nod to Adopt Missouri Highway

The Ku Klux Klan’s national director on Wednesday defended Missouri’s decision to allow the group to take part in the state’s Adopt-A-Highway program, saying he sees nothing contradictory between white supremacy and environmentalism.

After five years of legal battles, Missouri transportation officials reluctantly granted the Klan an Adopt-A-Highway application Tuesday. A federal judge had ruled that the state could not deny the Klan from participating in the litter-control program. Missouri is appealing the ruling.

“Most decent people are concerned about the environment,” said Thomas Robb, director of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. “People are not running out to sign up for the program. It’s a legitimate right to want that recognition.”

The two brown signs along Interstate 55 recognizing the Klan’s participation did not last long. The signs read: “Adopt-A-Highway. Next mile adopted by Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Realm of Missouri.”

One of the signs was cut down Tuesday, and highway workers put it back Wednesday morning. By nightfall, both signs had been removed.

Some community leaders are suggesting that Missouri drop the program altogether to avoid future conflict with the Klan and save the state from embarrassment.

“We understand 1st Amendment rights. But this is wrong,” said James Buford, president of the St. Louis Urban League. “It gives the city and state an image that we tolerate racism.”

The state transportation department may consider ending the program, spokeswoman Linda Wilson said, but “we really don’t want to do that because we have 4,700 adopters who are helping us.”

In Adopt-A-Highway programs, private citizens clean up a section of highway that they sponsor.

The programs began in Texas in 1985. Aside from Maine and Vermont, all other states soon organized their own programs.

The only known highway adopted by the Klan outside Missouri was one sponsored by Robb’s local Klan chapter in Harrison, Ark., just south of the Missouri state line, said Joanne Orr, president of the newly formed International Adopt-A-Highway Assn.

The Klan had picked up trash there for three years but forgot to renew its application in 1998. Robb said the group will submit another application.

Randy Ort, spokesman for the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department, said: “We experienced more vandalism with that sign than the other signs.”

In May, high school students in Palatine, Ill., claimed every available inch of highways earmarked for the program after officials said they would be forced to let the Klan participate. The students rushed to file their applications, leaving the Klan on the waiting list.