Residents and Leaders Against KKK Rally

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Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Just one week after the removal of the confederate flag from the State House grounds, the Ku Klux Klan and the New Black Panther Party are both planning to protest Saturday on the front lawn of the capitol building. “I just wish they wouldn’t do it, it’s two extreme sides,” said resident Jeff Regan. “I think it’s a waste of time, we’ve got all these people coming around that want to hold on to a symbol of lost hope, a symbol of the past that simply doesn’t exist anymore,” said Eric Cue. The KKK planned the rally several weeks ago in the midst of the Confederate flag debate. Now less than 24 hours away from their arrival, authorities say they will maintain a strong presence on the State House grounds to ensure public safety. Meanwhile, state and local leaders are calling for residents to avoid the protests. In a Facebook post, Governor Nikki Haley said “Our family hopes the people of South Carolina will join us in staying away from the disruptive, hateful spectacle members the Ku Klux Klan hope to create over the weekend and instead focus on what brings us together.” Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin echoed the Governor and promoted the twitter hashtag, ‘IgnoreThem,” which is something many residents said they plan to do. “I will not be coming to the rally because I do not endorse hate in any kind of shape or form or fashion,” said Amanda Vause. The KKK rally begins on Saturday at 3 pm. The counter-protests are expected to start around noon.