Police Investigate Distribution of KKK Propaganda in Frankfort

Police in Kentucky’s capital city are investigating after residents reported finding Ku Klux Klan recruitment materials distributed throughout several neighborhoods over the weekend, authorities confirmed Monday.

Frankfort police officials said they received multiple calls from concerned citizens who discovered small plastic bags containing KKK propaganda leaflets on their properties. The bags, which included rocks to weigh them down, appeared to have been randomly tossed onto driveways and yards across several residential areas.

“We take these incidents very seriously and are actively investigating who may be responsible for distributing these materials,” said Frankfort Police Chief Dustin Bowman in a statement. “While the distribution itself may not constitute a criminal offense due to First Amendment protections, we are examining whether any laws were violated in the process.”

This incident marks the latest in a troubling pattern of similar KKK leafleting campaigns that have occurred across Kentucky and neighboring states in recent years. Last summer, residents in Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood reported similar packages, and communities in southern Indiana faced comparable incidents in 2022.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate group activity nationwide, has documented an increase in such propaganda efforts across the country. According to their most recent annual report, white nationalist groups have increasingly turned to anonymous leafleting as a recruitment tactic that allows them to spread their message while minimizing personal risk.

“These distribution campaigns serve multiple purposes for hate groups,” explained Dr. Melissa Harris, a sociology professor at the University of Kentucky who studies extremist movements. “They generate fear in communities, attract media attention that amplifies their message, and potentially recruit new members who may be susceptible to their ideology.”

Local community leaders have responded with calls for unity. Frankfort Mayor Elizabeth Thompson addressed the incident during Monday’s city council meeting, condemning the materials while emphasizing the city’s commitment to inclusivity.

“Frankfort is a welcoming community that values diversity and rejects hate in all its forms,” Thompson said. “These cowardly acts do not represent our values, and we stand firmly with all residents who may feel targeted or frightened by this propaganda.”

The Franklin County Human Rights Commission announced it would hold a community forum next week to discuss the incident and strategies for countering hate speech. Commission Chair Reverend James Wilson emphasized the importance of community response.

“When hate comes knocking, we must answer with a stronger message of unity and compassion,” Wilson said. “We cannot allow these isolated incidents to divide us or create an atmosphere of fear.”

Police have asked residents who received these materials or who may have security camera footage showing the individuals distributing them to contact the department. Authorities are particularly interested in any video evidence captured during the late hours of Saturday night and early Sunday morning, when the materials were likely distributed.

Civil rights advocates note that while distributing literature is generally protected as free speech, there are exceptions if the materials contain specific threats or if distribution methods violate local ordinances regarding littering or trespassing.

Kentucky has a complex history with the KKK, which once wielded significant political influence in parts of the state. Today, active membership in such organizations has diminished significantly, though sporadic recruitment efforts persist.

State Attorney General Russell Coleman issued a statement Monday afternoon expressing concern about the incident while reaffirming his office’s commitment to combating hate crimes.

“Every Kentuckian deserves to feel safe in their community,” Coleman said. “My office stands ready to support local law enforcement in their investigation and to pursue any violations of state law to the fullest extent possible.”

Residents finding such materials are advised not to handle them unnecessarily and to report them promptly to local authorities.