Kennewick Man Starts Petition to Classify the KKK as Terrorists

Look at it, and sign it here.

A change,org petition, to classify the KKK as a terrorist organization, has gathered over a million-and-a half-signatures and counting, and was started just a week ago by a 27-year old from Kennewick who was surprised to find out the KKK was not listed as a terrorist organization so he decided to do something about that. In the petition Kennewick's Jose Cardenas states:

Ever since the inception of the Ku Klux Klan in December 24,1865 they have terrorized American citizens for the color of their skin and opposing views. This group has a long history of murder & intimidation of people based on color and religion. The KKK has lynched 3446 blacks and 1297 whites based of the research of The Tuskeegee Institute. The KKK has raped,murdered people for registering to vote, and destroyed towns built by African Americans. Clear documented evidence is available through picture and video of their murderous acts. Black Americans have suffered the most under this terror group. Terrorism is the use of violence and intimidation in pursuit of political aims. We ask if ISIS or ISIL is labeled a terrorist group for their acts, then surely the KKK fit the clear description of a terrorist.

This is just the first step in a long process, and many petitions that have gathered such early momentum have only fizzled out later, so there is no guarantee this is a slam dunk, but it's a great start. Cardenas said, like him, the vast majority of people signing the petition are shocked the KKK isn't already labeled as "terrorist", but just "a domestic extremist group."

The Ku Klux Klan, an infamous bunch of white supremacists, has systematically lynched and murdered Black Americans for over 150 years. Can't get much more terrorist than that.

And Cardenas knows the different word distinction sends a clearer and more specific message about the bigger mindset that it's not OK, to think like the KKK: “This would be a really good step toward dismantling all these systems that have this systemic racism integrated within them,” he said.

Currently, there are no KKK-affiliated groups on record in Washington, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Cardenas, however, said he’s encountered people in this state who feel it is acceptable to be actively racist. Given the amazing early response, Cardenas knows America wants, and is ready for this.

“This is just the first step,” Cardenas said. “This is where it begins, and this is not where it ends.”