MOUNT HOLLY TWP. -- Burlington County freeholder Director Bruce Garganio on Tuesday called for a state-level probe into the pro-Ku Klux Klan fliers found in three communities early this week.
In his Feb. 14 letter addressed to state Attorney General Christopher Porrino, Garganio argues that this isn't the first time similar literature has been distributed in Burlington County.
"No child should have to see this hateful bitterness on their way to school, no family should have to face it at their doorstep and no family should have to fear where it came from," Garganio wrote.
After fliers soliciting enlistment in the Ku Klux Klan were found in Cinnaminson and Maple Shade on Sunday, officials in Moorestown later reported a similar discovery. "Love your race" and "Stop homosexuality and race mixing," were among the phrases found on the handful of pamphlets.
A history of the Ku Klux Klan in N.J.
"While I respect the sanctity of the right to free speech guaranteed by the Constitution, I am extremely concerned when free speech turns to hate speech," Garganio wrote, adding that the Burlington County communities of Tabernacle, Shamong and Lumberton have seen similar KKK pamphlets.
"For these reasons, I am requesting that you launch an investigation into this hate-filled display and the individuals or groups responsible for it," he continued.
Jeanetta Warren, vice president of the Southern Burlington County Chapter of the NAACP, said in a statement earlier this week that the leaflets have "absolutely no place in our community, or any community."
Southern Poverty Law Center senior fellow Mark Potok told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday that the Klan today is a "very very pale shadow of its former self," with national ranks hovering around 4,000 at the very least.
Potok said two Klan chapters exist in New Jersey; a state-wide group and one based in Toms River, Ocean County.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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