A top Ku Klux Klan leader has condemned a fundraiser set up by an outsider KKK group for the benefit of Darren Wilson, the police officer who fatally shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9.
Imperial Wizard Chuck Murray of the New Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan called for donations to the police officer last week in an email obtained by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
"We are setting up a reward/fund for the police officer who shot this thug," wrote Murray, whose group is based in South Carolina. "He is a hero! We need more white cops who are anti-Zog and willing to put Jewish controlled black thugs in their place. Most cops are cowards and do nothing while 90% of interracial crime is black (and non-white) on white."
Murray did not offer comment to SPLC.
The email did not sit well with Frank Acona, Imperial Wizard of the Traditionalist American Knights, one of the largest factions of the KKK in the United States.
Acona told The Wire that the fundraising email violates the KKK’s constitution, and that Murray’s group is a fringe operation that is not officially affiliated with the Klan. Acona added that after doing some research, he believes Murray was banned from the Klan and has since started his own group.
"No one has ever heard of the guy, I talked to the older members of our group," Ancona said. "There are other legitimate Klan organizations, but this group here sprang out in the last year or so I don't believe he has any members. I think it's just him."
Acona thinks Murray’s efforts at fundraising amount to a quick-money scheme since Klan members are barred from speaking with the media - only leaders are allowed to talk to reporters.
"It’s a scam, he is just trying to capitalize on the situation," he said. "The Klan is not out soliciting money. We do ask for donations from members for different events, we have dues, but this is not the case here."
Though Acona, whose group is based in Missouri, told The Wire he would consider donating to Wilson once more information is available.
"Maybe we will do something to assist, once the justice system does its diligence. We may help around his home," he said. "We are sitting here waiting to see what the prosecutor comes up with. Will this goes to a grand jury? Will they indict him? We would like to look at what they're charging him with, what the police report says, to see what’s going on, and then we will decide if we will help him."
Acona is inclined to believe Wilson had no other choice but to kill Brown.
"From what I have seen, from a witness account, if that’s true, that’s what [Wilson] had to do in that situation."
Acona also said some store owners believed to be at risk for looting in connection with the civil unrest in Ferguson have reached out to the Klan for protection, and that some stores - which he would not identify - are being watched by KKK members "for their safety."
For his part, Murray responded to Acona’s comments, telling The Wire, "I could care less what another Imperial Wizard said. The KKK has raised funds. We have already raised nearly $1,200.”