Ku Klux Klan Materials Discovered in Mississippi Department of Public Safety
A cache of Ku Klux Klan materials dating back to the 1960s was recently discovered in a closet at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MDPS) headquarters during preparations for a move to a fresh facility in Rankin County. The discovery includes Klan regalia, meeting minutes, membership ledgers, dues records, and propaganda pamphlets, including a booklet titled “The Ugly Truth About Martin Luther King.”
Origins of the Materials
MDPS officials believe the materials likely originated from investigations conducted in the 1960s. “We assume that these materials were used for investigations,” stated Bailey C. Martin, an MDPS spokesperson as reported by the Mississippi Free Press. The items were found inside a blue suitcase.
Transfer to Archives
The MDPS has transferred the materials to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for preservation and archiving. Commissioner Sean Tindell emphasized the importance of preserving these artifacts to educate future generations about the dangers of hate groups. “Mississippi Highway Patrol troopers and agents with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety have worked for decades with our federal law enforcement partners to shed light on the darkness in which groups like the Ku Klux Klan chose to operate,” Tindell said in a joint press release according to the Mississippi Free Press.
Historical Context and Significance
The discovery highlights the historical presence of the KKK within Mississippi and its attempts to operate in secrecy. Barry White, incoming director of the Department of Archives and History, noted the collection’s value lies in its combination of internal paperwork, financial records, and propaganda from a local Klan chapter as reported by the Mississippi Free Press. The materials serve as a reminder that the Klan was an organized network with a documented presence, even within government spaces.
Past Connections to Law Enforcement
The Mississippi Highway Patrol’s history with the Klan is complex. Following the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers in Neshoba County, Highway Patrolman Maynard King provided the FBI with information leading to the discovery of the bodies, based on information he received from a third party as detailed in the Mississippi Free Press.
Officials hope that by preserving and studying these artifacts, they can prevent future generations from being influenced by hate groups.
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