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"Momma Ruth," a seamstress who makes robes for the Ku Klux Klan in the process of taking a robe order for an Imperial Wizard (an officer within the KKK).
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“Little Charlie” poses in her custom made Klan wedding veil, as her fiancé watches on. I was told the black eye was from a work related accident.
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© 2019 Anthony Karen
A couple during a traditional Klan wedding hosted by the Traditional American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.
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A Ku Klux Klan wedding ceremony in Walker, La., on August 30, 2008. The couple was wed by a Chaplin Klan member, where vows and custom Klan rings were exchanged during a cross lighting. This second cross lighting took place immediately following a group cross lighting ceremony - signifying the light of Christ and also meant to bring spiritual truth to a world that is blinded by misinformation and darkness.
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Harrison, AR. 10/16/2015. A billboard mocking the “politically correct meaning” and “dangers” of forced Diversity, sits under the “Welcome to Harrison” sign.
According to a recent petition on the White House’s “We The People,” website, “White Genocide is - “all white countries and only white countries are being flooded with third worlders, and whites are forced by law to integrate with them as to “assimilate,” i.e. intermarry and be blended out of existence.”
“Deliberately inflicting on group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or part.”
“Diversity is a code word for White Genocide.”
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© 2019 Anthony Karen
"Momma Ruth" (right) a 63-year old Ku Klux Klan robe maker during the first meeting of the MKR (Momma’s Knight Rider’s of the Ku Klux Klan). Momma Ruth is the first woman to hold the rank of Imperial Wizard within the Klan's hierarchy.
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Chattooga County, GA 12/12/2015. A Klansman displays a coin from his collection of Klan memorabilia. The coin was used to signify a member in good standing. This particular coin was said to be from 1923.
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April 23, 2016. Rome, Georgia. Members of a Texas based Ku Klux Klan realm begin to form ranks prior to a “pro-white civil rights."
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April 23, 2016. Rome, Georgia. Members of a North Carolina based Ku Klux Klan realm begin to form ranks prior to a “pro-white civil rights.'
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April 23, 2016. Rome, Georgia. A member of a Texas based Ku Klux Klan realm during a “pro-white civil rights” rally.
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April 23, 2016. Rome, Georgia. A Rome County police officer stands his post in front of a group of counter protesters during a “pro-white civil rights” rally.
The counter protestors turned their backs during a speech given by NSM leader Jeff Schoep, then walked away in unity.
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Matthew Heimbach of the Traditionalist Worker Party, during an alliance rally with the NSM and Ku Klux Klan.
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The Georgia Knightriders of the KKK during a rally at the Ejay Courthouse in Georgia.
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© 2019 Anthony Karen
A confrontation immediately following a rally hosted by The Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan at the Lee county courthouse in Tupelo, Mississippi on Saturday, October 20th, 2007. The protest was against illegal immigration and local sex offenders, and supported putting prayers back in school. The rally included several Klan groups, including the Brotherhood of the Klans, Georgia Knightriders, Bayou Knights, MKA and the International Knights.
The last time the Klan made any major appearance in Tupelo was in the 1970's. The Klan marched down Main Street with the United States National Guard protecting citizens on either side.
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© 2019 Anthony Karen
A moment of prayer. The prayer was led by an Imperial Kludd (Chaplain) of a Tennessee based Klan realm.
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© 2019 Anthony Karen
A "Mioak" tattoo displayed at a Klan gathering. "Mioak" stands for: The Mystic Insignia of a Klansman. Today it is most commonly known as the Blood Drop Cross. It is displayed as the patch seen on the robes of Klansmen. It is also a part of the Imperial Seal of the Klan.
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Richard, the Imperial Kludd (chaplain) for a mid-western Klan realm.
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Candidates wishing to become citizens of a Tennessee based realm of the Ku Klux Klan take part in a Naturalization ceremony.
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© 2019 Anthony Karen
Candidates wishing to become citizens of a Tennessee based realm of the Ku Klux Klan take part in a Naturalization ceremony. There are some parts of the ceremony that many might at first mistake for a "hazing". Proposed Klansmen are blindfolded, and then with one arm placed on the shoulder of the man before him, led through the woods at a sometimes-vigorous pace. The link is not to be broken as they are questioned on Klan history and intimidated occasionally with the sound of a firearm. According to Klan beliefs, the "hazing" actually has symbolic purpose, and builds mutual trust, loyalty and reveals personal bravery and dedication. Tennessee.
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Probates wishing to become initiated into the Ku Klos Knights of the Ku Klux Klan take their oaths as part of a naturalization ritual.
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The Holy Bible, used during a naturalization ceremony.
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Probates wishing to become initiated into Ku Klux Klan take their oaths as part of the naturalization ritual.
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Probates wishing to become citizens of the “Invisible Empire" take part in a naturalization ritual.
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Diesel fuel and wooden torches that will be used in the cross lighting ceremony just after dusk. North Carolina.
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Klansmen nail burlap onto a wooden cross in preparation for a cross lighting ceremony.
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Klansmen pose for a group portrait during a weekend gathering.
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The site of a cross lighting ceremony for the Four Star White Knights. Pennsylvania.
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Chattooga County, GA. 12/12/2015. 5-year old “CJ” prior to a cross lighting ceremony hosted by the North Georgia White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. CJ’s father is an Imperial Knighthawk (security within the Klan ranks). His mother fabricated the robe out of left over material after making her husbands robe.
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The late Imperial Wizard Frank Ancona accepts the flame from his Imperial Knighthawk at the commencement of the cross lighting ceremony.
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April 23, 2016. Temple, Georgia. Klan and NSM members circle the 12-ft wooden cross and Swastika shortly before setting the base aflame. According to Klan beliefs, the purpose of the cross lighting is to signify the light of Christ and is also meant to bring spiritual truth to a world that is blinded by misinformation and darkness.
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Cross lighting ceremony. Virginia.
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© 2019 Anthony Karen
Public Story
The Ku Klux Klan
Credits:
anthony karen
Date of Work: 12/31/69 - Ongoing
Updated: 08/16/17
Beginning in 2005 as a novice photojournalist, I was granted access to a cross lighting ceremony with a Ku Klux Klan group based in Arkansas. Since that time, documenting the Klan has become one of several long-term projects which I try to keep current.
I realize the story has been photographed many times before, including by well-known photojournalists, but I felt the majority of images hinged on sensationalism and focused primarily on the obvious – the robes and the cross lighting ceremony. It became my objective to capture the most interesting and basic elements, ones that would be the most challenging and difficult for most photojournalists to follow.
The states represented in my Visura edit are - Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (with over 15 different groups being represented). I have a vast collection spanning over 12-years and have the ability to access pretty much any organization as long as the project is unbiased and free of sensationalism.
