Racist Flyers Found Distributed Throughout South Baltimore Neighborhood

Racist propaganda flyers attributed to the Ku Klux Klan were discovered scattered near Cross Street Market in Federal Hill, Baltimore on Monday, prompting swift condemnation from local officials and renewed concerns about hate group activity in the area.

The flyers, enclosed in plastic baggies, contained inflammatory content claiming to provide a “public service” by “trying to protect us all from ‘juvenile’ thugs,” language that echoes historical racist rhetoric used by white supremacist organizations.

District 11 Councilman Zac Blanchard immediately denounced the materials in a statement posted on social media. “We unequivocally condemn the message, and have spoken with both Baltimore City Public School System and Baltimore Police Department about the proper response to this hate speech. Hate has no place in our city,” Blanchard wrote.

This incident marks a disturbing pattern in the neighborhood. In 2019, similar flyers claiming KKK affiliation were distributed throughout Federal Hill, packaged in baggies weighted down with rocks and road salt to prevent them from blowing away—a distribution tactic common among hate groups seeking to spread their message while avoiding direct confrontation.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which tracks extremist organizations nationwide, reports that as of 2024, there are 13 active KKK factions operating across the United States. Among these is the newly formed “Maryland White Knights,” which reportedly emerged following the dissolution of another local KKK chapter known as the “Old Glory Knights.”

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the Maryland White Knights are responsible for the recent propaganda distribution in Federal Hill, though the timing and location suggest possible local organization behind the effort.

The KKK has a long and violent history in the United States, dating back to its founding in 1866 following the Civil War. While its membership has significantly declined from its peak in the 1920s when it boasted millions of members, smaller factions continue to operate throughout the country, often capitalizing on periods of social tension to recruit new members or intimidate minority communities.

Baltimore, like many urban centers, has faced ongoing challenges with racial tensions. The appearance of such materials in Federal Hill—a historically affluent and predominantly white neighborhood adjacent to areas with larger Black populations—highlights the continued presence of racial division in the city.

Community advocates note that such propaganda distributions often increase during periods of heightened social or political stress, with hate groups attempting to exploit existing tensions for recruitment purposes.

Local residents expressed concern about the materials appearing in a busy commercial district frequented by families and diverse groups of visitors. Cross Street Market, a historic marketplace recently renovated to become a food hall destination, attracts substantial foot traffic from both residents and tourists.

Law enforcement officials typically investigate such incidents to determine whether they constitute protected, if offensive, speech or cross into illegal territory such as targeted harassment or specific threats. The Baltimore Police Department has been contacted regarding their response to this incident.

Baltimore City Public School System officials have also been approached for comment, as the references to “juvenile thugs” in the propaganda may attempt to stoke fears related to youth crime—a sensitive topic in many urban communities.

Local anti-hate organizations encourage residents who encounter such materials to report them to authorities while avoiding direct engagement with the groups behind them. They stress that public solidarity against hate speech often proves more effective than confrontational responses.

WMAR-2 News has contacted both the school district and police department for additional information about their planned responses to this incident.