Bibliography | Contact George | First Opinion | Second Opinion | Home

Ku Klux Klan v. People of Kansas City

The Kansas City chapter of the Ku Klux Klan had decided to create a talk show in a public television channel time spot. Led by Imperial Dragon Dennis Mahon, the group wanted a show in order to promote their ideas to the community. Of course with something as controversial as the Ku Klux Klan, people were upset and wanted to take action. One man in particular took the issue to court, Rev. Emmanuel Cleaver. A man who grew up in the south during the civil rights movement, he wouldn’t stand for such ignorance. He and others took the Ku Klux Klan to court.

The Klan argued the use of this television show was their right. Although the speech could be found insensitive and crude, it was still speech, which should be protected under the Constitution. The pointed out that everything they did was correct, in filing papers, paying fees, and gaining a background in the use of the equipment. The Klan with the backing of the ACLU took the case to the Supreme Court.

Kansas City tried to prove the speech conducted by the Klan would promote violence to the area. The cable company was in a neighborhood with a high percentage of blacks. With Klan members walking down the street in full robes, riots could become a possibility. They argued that the people of Kansas City did not want the show to be presented to them and how it offended a large community.

The Supreme Court upheld the right of the Klan to make a show. Even though the information given would not want to be heard by many and the speech had a chance of violence, it was still a right to the citizens in the Klan to speak freely.