Latest news with #KKK
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
PR firm reveals plan to revamp city of Howell, Michigan's image
Months after being hired by the city of Howell to help improve its image, Michigan-based public relations firm Burch Partners says it is working to tell the city's story better. "My work is very much behind the scenes," said Brian Burch, the firm's managing partner. "The great people are the story here. The great business owners, the great families, the great history that have done to make our community a better place. That's the story." The city announced in December 2024 that it would hire a public relations firm to revamp the area's reputation after reported incidents of racism and homophobia. Past reporting shed light on a troubled history in Howell, including a period in the '70s when Ku Klux Klan gatherings were allegedly held on the farm of KKK Grand Dragon Robert E. Miles, who, according to reports, held white supremacist rallies and was also sentenced for a school bus bombing. In November, there were reports of a Neo-Nazi demonstration outside a performance of the play The Diary of Anne Frank. During the hunt for a PR firm to help, the city experienced another racist incident with another reported Nazi demonstration, this time outside of the Historic Howell Theater. The firm was hired in March 2025. "We're not rehabbing anything; what we're doing is we're telling Howell's story as it actually is," Burch said. When asked how the last couple of incidents fit into that story, Burch said, "It doesn't fit in. Things that fit in are kind of the great communities, the safe streets, the amazingly responsible police department. I don't believe that a few bad actors from out of town can change that." Burch said his work centers around highlighting events happening in the city, new projects like the Depot Lot Expansion, and the community's natural areas. "I think the story is showing people how great we live," he said. Meanwhile, some Howell residents say they were happy to hear the city is taking action, and some felt it wasn't necessary or a good use of money.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Antisemitic violence can happen in Indiana. Rising hatred is a warning.
When young, beautiful people are shot dead in the street, people still take notice. By now, you have likely heard their story. Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a Kansas City girl, and Yaron Lischinsky, a devout Christian born in Israel, were in love and working together in Washington, D.C. They were murdered May 21 after attending an event for young professionals wanting to learn about peace in the Middle East, the stability of Israel and the plight of Palestinians. This is what can happen when hateful rhetoric connects to real-world violence. What does that have to do with Hooisers here in happy, wholesome Indiana? The sad fact is that antisemitic incidents in Indiana more than doubled in 2024. In fact, incidents of hatred toward Jews here reflect the biggest national increase of any state in the nation in a year when anti-Jewish activity reached its highest level recorded in nearly half a century. Yet, even more damning context is a relative tsunami of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. over the past 10 years, reflected by a national surge of almost 900%, according to an annual Anti-Defamation League survey released in April. Indiana is no stranger to powerful prejudice and resulting violence. The Klu Klux Klan has been active in our state over its history, particularly during the 1920s, with members serving in elected roles including Indiana Governor and mayor of Indianapolis. In fact, back then, half the members of the Indiana General Assembly were revealed to be KKK members. Many Gen Xers, like myself, might remember from our youth how common it was to hear racial, religious and just plain insulting epithets to describe all kinds of people, including those with intellectual or other disabilities, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. As I reached adulthood and the usage of such horrible words in polite society dropped off, I assumed it was evidence that Hoosiers were moving beyond the prejudice of the past and toward a commitment to equality, and even kindness. Boy, was I ever wrong. Several years ago, as I was running for Congress in Central Indiana, my opponent and I were both asked in a town hall if we believed that there was systemic racism in our state. Our answers were quite different. Mine was informed by my fourth-grade Indiana history class, where I learned that many of the laws enacted back in the 1920s by members of the KKK are still on the books today. Systemic racism in our state not only exists, but it is well documented. So, what can we do about it in 2025? Today, rather than hope and prayers for the dead and their families, get a sense of our history by visiting the Indiana State Museum on the White River State Park campus in Indianapolis, or by reading excellent works, such as 'A Fever in the Heartland,' by Timothy Egan, and 'The Klu Klux Klan in the Heartland,' by James Madison. Our history is fraught with instances of racism, antisemitism, sexism and all kinds of discrimination. In fact, in the early 2000s, Indiana had to pass a law to keep women from being arrested for breastfeeding their infants in public. Opinion: Jim Irsay built everything we love about downtown Indianapolis Move out of your comfort zone and show up and join your Jewish neighbors facing this kind of hate when they gather to support people who have been harmed, or who have been threatened with violence, just for being. Attend a Pride parade and be there to celebrate Juneteenth in your community. Showing up is actually pretty fun, yet can be a meaningful way to make clear that you have the backs of your friends and neighbors facing discrimination. You can also start small. Instead of looking away when you hear someone testing the waters by making a hateful joke, using hateful terminology or worse, cut them off and let them know what they have to say is not OK with you – and it is just plain not OK at all. Indiana is not often No. 1 among states in measurably positive categories, which makes our state's ranking in hate a particularly shameful distinction. More importantly, it is a distinction that might portend future violence. None of us want that, and shame on us should we ignore these warning signs. Here, we pride ourselves on Hoosier values. For people from other states, they might not understand what exactly a Hoosier is or why we, as a united people, feel so strongly about our statewide identity. Yet, as they say, if you know, you know. And we know that the bedrock of Hoosier values is about common decency, hard work and fair play. Now is the time to put those values to work and do some good at an important time. The most recent annual ADL audit recorded 142 reported incidents in Indiana of hate against Jewish people, a 141% increase from the previous year, with 52 of them occurring in Indianapolis. Together, before we lose good people to similar senseless antisemitic violence, let's accept this as our shared imperative, and also as a solemn challenge to do better by our Jewish friends and neighbors, by each other and by all Hoosiers. Christina Hale is a former Indiana state legislator and Democratic candidate for the U.S. House. She is the author of "Why Not You: A Leadership Guide for the Change-Makers of Tomorrow." This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hatred against Jewish people is rising. Violence can follow. | Opinion
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Antisemitic violence can happen in Indiana. Rising hatred is a warning.
When young, beautiful people are shot dead in the street, people still take notice. By now, you have likely heard their story. Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a Kansas City girl, and Yaron Lischinsky, a devout Christian born in Israel, were in love and working together in Washington, D.C. They were murdered May 21 after attending an event for young professionals wanting to learn about peace in the Middle East, the stability of Israel and the plight of Palestinians. This is what can happen when hateful rhetoric connects to real-world violence. What does that have to do with Hooisers here in happy, wholesome Indiana? The sad fact is that antisemitic incidents in Indiana more than doubled in 2024. In fact, incidents of hatred toward Jews here reflect the biggest national increase of any state in the nation in a year when anti-Jewish activity reached its highest level recorded in nearly half a century. Yet, even more damning context is a relative tsunami of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. over the past 10 years, reflected by a national surge of almost 900%, according to an annual Anti-Defamation League survey released in April. Indiana is no stranger to powerful prejudice and resulting violence. The Klu Klux Klan has been active in our state over its history, particularly during the 1920s, with members serving in elected roles including Indiana Governor and mayor of Indianapolis. In fact, back then, half the members of the Indiana General Assembly were revealed to be KKK members. Many Gen Xers, like myself, might remember from our youth how common it was to hear racial, religious and just plain insulting epithets to describe all kinds of people, including those with intellectual or other disabilities, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community. As I reached adulthood and the usage of such horrible words in polite society dropped off, I assumed it was evidence that Hoosiers were moving beyond the prejudice of the past and toward a commitment to equality, and even kindness. Boy, was I ever wrong. Several years ago, as I was running for Congress in Central Indiana, my opponent and I were both asked in a town hall if we believed that there was systemic racism in our state. Our answers were quite different. Mine was informed by my fourth-grade Indiana history class, where I learned that many of the laws enacted back in the 1920s by members of the KKK are still on the books today. Systemic racism in our state not only exists, but it is well documented. So, what can we do about it in 2025? Today, rather than hope and prayers for the dead and their families, get a sense of our history by visiting the Indiana State Museum on the White River State Park campus in Indianapolis, or by reading excellent works, such as 'A Fever in the Heartland,' by Timothy Egan, and 'The Klu Klux Klan in the Heartland,' by James Madison. Our history is fraught with instances of racism, antisemitism, sexism and all kinds of discrimination. In fact, in the early 2000s, Indiana had to pass a law to keep women from being arrested for breastfeeding their infants in public. Opinion: Jim Irsay built everything we love about downtown Indianapolis Move out of your comfort zone and show up and join your Jewish neighbors facing this kind of hate when they gather to support people who have been harmed, or who have been threatened with violence, just for being. Attend a Pride parade and be there to celebrate Juneteenth in your community. Showing up is actually pretty fun, yet can be a meaningful way to make clear that you have the backs of your friends and neighbors facing discrimination. You can also start small. Instead of looking away when you hear someone testing the waters by making a hateful joke, using hateful terminology or worse, cut them off and let them know what they have to say is not OK with you – and it is just plain not OK at all. Indiana is not often No. 1 among states in measurably positive categories, which makes our state's ranking in hate a particularly shameful distinction. More importantly, it is a distinction that might portend future violence. None of us want that, and shame on us should we ignore these warning signs. Here, we pride ourselves on Hoosier values. For people from other states, they might not understand what exactly a Hoosier is or why we, as a united people, feel so strongly about our statewide identity. Yet, as they say, if you know, you know. And we know that the bedrock of Hoosier values is about common decency, hard work and fair play. Now is the time to put those values to work and do some good at an important time. The most recent annual ADL audit recorded 142 reported incidents in Indiana of hate against Jewish people, a 141% increase from the previous year, with 52 of them occurring in Indianapolis. Together, before we lose good people to similar senseless antisemitic violence, let's accept this as our shared imperative, and also as a solemn challenge to do better by our Jewish friends and neighbors, by each other and by all Hoosiers.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Letters to the Editor: 'Political violence is perpetrated by both sides and we need to condemn all of it'
To the editor: I wholeheartedly support contributing writer Josh Hammer's urgent appeal for an end to political violence ('The Israeli Embassy killings and the ominous turn in political violence,' May 23). However, he's wrong to label political violence in the U.S. as primarily a left-wing phenomenon. In fact, a great number of deadly attacks come from right-wing white nationalists. These include violent attacks targeting Black Americans, Jews, immigrants and LGBTQ+ people. Federal law enforcement and watchdog groups consistently identify far-right violence, not left-wing activism, as the top domestic terror threat. There's no comparison in scale or impact. Ignoring that reality risks downplaying a real and growing danger. Nicholas Hormann, Pasadena .. To the editor: I finally can agree with Hammer on a very critical point. Although he said he was not writing an "apples-to-apples comparison,' he spent most of his opinion piece recounting various "apples" (i.e., "darkness") in "pockets of the American activist left.' However, in his final paragraph we reached total agreement: "Regardless, the violence must end. And we must stop treating open calls for murder or genocide as morally acceptable 'speech.'' I'm heartened to find solidarity with you, Mr. Hammer! David Berry, Altadena .. To the editor: Hammer correctly notes that domestic terrorists these days come from all backgrounds. Then he proceeds to list only allegedly left-wing nuts. He says that both sides are not culpable here. How does he go from "all backgrounds" to "both 'sides' are not culpable"? Sounds like a contradiction to me. Cathy Gregory, Lompoc, Calif. .. To the editor: I unequivocally condemn the murder of the Israeli Embassy staff members and the other acts of violence that Hammer references. But his claim that "both 'sides' are not culpable here" is misinformation that serves the MAGA agenda. What would he call Jan. 6, 2021, if not the largest example of political violence from the right? What about Harry Rogers, a KKK member who drove a car into a crowd of peaceful protesters? Or the racism-driven Walmart shooting in El Paso? And if Hammer is so concerned about antisemitism, as I am as well, how can he forget that the Pittsburgh Tree of Life shooting was perpetrated by someone with anti-immigrant views? Yes, Mr. Hammer, political violence is perpetrated by both sides and we need to condemn all of it. Bruce Hirsch, Culver City .. To the editor: Hammer ignores the long history of right-wing ownership of antisemitism by ascribing it now to the left wing. As a lover of Israel, I agree that pro-Palestine protests sometimes demonize Israel and even get too close to supporting Hamas (which, after all, is a right-wing movement). However, the vast majority of protesters are young people, many of whom are Jewish, who see the vicious death and destruction being wrought in Gaza by Israel and cannot abide it. Anyone paying attention should not be able to abide it. I cannot, and I also fear greatly that Israel will not be able to survive after losing so much support in the world by its own actions. I agree there is too much demonizing and dehumanizing, even genocidal, speech coming out of the current Middle East conflict, but one would have to be blind to not see that it comes from both sides. The resulting hate crimes also come from both sides. Hammer conveniently leaves out the attacks on Palestinian Americans that have occurred since October 2023, most notably the stabbing death of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy in Chicago and the three Palestinian students shot in Burlington, Vt. Susan Rishik, Santa Monica .. To the editor: Hammer writes with passion and truth regarding the antisemitism in America and on college campuses. I have been waiting for signs of condemnation from the last administration and hoping President Trump is successful in sending all terrorists out of the country. Some call Trump a bully. If he is a bully, we need more like him, especially after two young people were murdered. Drastic times call for drastic measures. No antisemitism in the U.S.A. — not now, not ever. Elaine Vanoff, West Hollywood This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: ‘Political violence is perpetrated by both sides and we need to condemn all of it'
To the editor: I wholeheartedly support contributing writer Josh Hammer's urgent appeal for an end to political violence ('The Israeli Embassy killings and the ominous turn in political violence,' May 23). However, he's wrong to label political violence in the U.S. as primarily a left-wing phenomenon. In fact, a great number of deadly attacks come from right-wing white nationalists. These include violent attacks targeting Black Americans, Jews, immigrants and LGBTQ+ people. Federal law enforcement and watchdog groups consistently identify far-right violence, not left-wing activism, as the top domestic terror threat. There's no comparison in scale or impact. Ignoring that reality risks downplaying a real and growing danger. Nicholas Hormann, Pasadena .. To the editor: I finally can agree with Hammer on a very critical point. Although he said he was not writing an 'apples-to-apples comparison,' he spent most of his opinion piece recounting various 'apples' (i.e., 'darkness') in 'pockets of the American activist left.' However, in his final paragraph we reached total agreement: 'Regardless, the violence must end. And we must stop treating open calls for murder or genocide as morally acceptable 'speech.'' I'm heartened to find solidarity with you, Mr. Hammer! David Berry, Altadena .. To the editor: Hammer correctly notes that domestic terrorists these days come from all backgrounds. Then he proceeds to list only allegedly left-wing nuts. He says that both sides are not culpable here. How does he go from 'all backgrounds' to 'both 'sides' are not culpable'? Sounds like a contradiction to me. Cathy Gregory, Lompoc, Calif. .. To the editor: I unequivocally condemn the murder of the Israeli Embassy staff members and the other acts of violence that Hammer references. But his claim that 'both 'sides' are not culpable here' is misinformation that serves the MAGA agenda. What would he call Jan. 6, 2021, if not the largest example of political violence from the right? What about Harry Rogers, a KKK member who drove a car into a crowd of peaceful protesters? Or the racism-driven Walmart shooting in El Paso? And if Hammer is so concerned about antisemitism, as I am as well, how can he forget that the Pittsburgh Tree of Life shooting was perpetrated by someone with anti-immigrant views? Yes, Mr. Hammer, political violence is perpetrated by both sides and we need to condemn all of it. Bruce Hirsch, Culver City .. To the editor: Hammer ignores the long history of right-wing ownership of antisemitism by ascribing it now to the left wing. As a lover of Israel, I agree that pro-Palestine protests sometimes demonize Israel and even get too close to supporting Hamas (which, after all, is a right-wing movement). However, the vast majority of protesters are young people, many of whom are Jewish, who see the vicious death and destruction being wrought in Gaza by Israel and cannot abide it. Anyone paying attention should not be able to abide it. I cannot, and I also fear greatly that Israel will not be able to survive after losing so much support in the world by its own actions. I agree there is too much demonizing and dehumanizing, even genocidal, speech coming out of the current Middle East conflict, but one would have to be blind to not see that it comes from both sides. The resulting hate crimes also come from both sides. Hammer conveniently leaves out the attacks on Palestinian Americans that have occurred since October 2023, most notably the stabbing death of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy in Chicago and the three Palestinian students shot in Burlington, Vt. Susan Rishik, Santa Monica .. To the editor: Hammer writes with passion and truth regarding the antisemitism in America and on college campuses. I have been waiting for signs of condemnation from the last administration and hoping President Trump is successful in sending all terrorists out of the country. Some call Trump a bully. If he is a bully, we need more like him, especially after two young people were murdered. Drastic times call for drastic measures. No antisemitism in the U.S.A. — not now, not ever. Elaine Vanoff, West Hollywood
