Two men showed up at a Donald Trump Nevada caucus site on Tuesday night dressed in the conical hoods of the Ku Klux Klan.
The two men appear to be Black protesters making a point about the overt racism in Trump’s “policies and speeches.” The stunt was to show that the KKK is more than welcomed at Trump’s rallies.
The Republican presidential candidate has come under fire for attracting the most racist members of the Republican base with comments dehumanizing Muslims and Mexicans, and inciting violence aimed at protesters at his political rallies.
This is not the first instance where the Trumps and the KKK were uttered in the same sentence.
Trump’s father, Fred Trump, allegedly had ties with the KKK, according to multiple reports. Talking Points Memo reports that Fred Trump “was among those arrested in a massive brawl between KKK members and police at a 1927 Memorial Day parade in New York City.”
The two protesters attracted a lot of media attention, and many people were concerned for their safety, so the authorities were notified. The two were also holding signs proclaiming that “The New England Police Benevolent Association support Trump.” Another sign read, “Make America Great Again!” with an aside about “deporting illegals.”
#Trump supporters dressed as KKK outside #NVCaucus location. pic.twitter.com/iPfPcEghqW
— Krystal Heath (@TheFriddle) February 24, 2016
So, friends of mine observed this at a republican caucus location this evening. I'll admit, I'm boiling right now. ? pic.twitter.com/baDftDUyxm
— Sen. Aaron D. Ford (@AaronDFordNV) February 24, 2016
While many people were quick to be outraged — and rightfully so — Twitter users pointed out that the men in the robes and hoods were Black or at least people of color.
An eyewitness who claims he saw the protester before he put on the robe tweeted:
And of the "clan" members is black so I don't buy it for a second lol
— Kevin Smith (@Sbstud11) February 24, 2016
Smith, a student at the University of Las Vegas, believes that the protesters wanted to make a point that Trump’s rallies are a safe haven for overt racism and bigotry. However, based on the photos they took with rally-goers, the protesters may have proven their theory.
The New England Police Benevolent Association has denied involvement at a Trump rally attended by supporters wearing Ku Klux Klan robes.
“I can assure you of one thing: we don’t have any members that are members of the Ku Klux Klan,” the group’s executive director, Jerry Flynn, told TheWrap on Monday.
