NAACP Reacts To Fox 29’s Klan Story

What does the NAACP have to say about an apparent Klu Klux Klan recruiting push in the Philadelphia and Delaware areas?

Fox 29's Claudia Gomez broke this story, and spoke with the NAACP on Friday, a day after speaking with a Klan leader.

The NAACP is not surprised the KKK still exists in New Castle County. But they are surprised at how the Klan appears to be growing in predominantly white neighborhoods like Newport.

The Rebel Knights Of The Ku Klux Klan insist they're a peaceful bunch.

"The Klan has been trying to tone down its image, more Christian, and that's exactly what we are, a christian organization. We're out for white unity, we ain't in for no violence,” says Rebel Knights leader Chris Barker.

Fox 29 talked to Barker, the leader overseeing the Delaware movement by phone. He says the Klan is actively recruiting new members in New Castle Count, by leaving messages outside homes in mostly white neighborhoods.

"We're continuing, and pretty much throughout this year we're going to hit even harder actually through Delaware and Pennsylvania."

"We feel we have to step up our game, as they recruit in the Klan more members, we recruit more members in the Naacp,” says Lance Bruce, the NAACP spokesman in Delaware.

the problems may be growing. Earlier this week, police say two teens left this cross marked with the n-word outside the home of an African-American family in Newark.

Police insist it's an isolated incident. But the NAACP isn't convinced, and intends to push back against the Klan's apparent resurgence.

"if we have to take to the streets with marches, if we have to boycott certain businesses that support them, and put an additional heat on law enforcement and the criminal justice system.,” Bruce says.

It could turn out to be a busy time for the civil rights organization. The Klan told Fox 29 it's going to buy land in New Castle County to build a compound, where members can stage cross burnings.

"We're not going to be intimidated, and we're not going to change lifestyles in new castle county or in the state of Delaware because of a handful of hateful people, we're just not going to do that,” said Jea P. Street, New Castle County Councilman.