The Sons of Confederate Veterans has learned that a North Carolina Chapter of the Ku Klux Klan has been granted a permit for a protest rally, scheduled for July 18, 2015 on the South Carolina Statehouse grounds. The 30,000 members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans vehemently oppose and denounce this hateful and divisive event.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans has a strictly enforced "hate" policy. Anyone with ties to any racist organization or hate group is denied membership. Any member developing ties to these organizations will be immediately expelled. Prohibited organizations include the Ku Klux Klan, American Nazi Party, the National Alliance, or any organization expressing racist ideals or violent overthrow of the United States government.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans is an historic heritage organization, founded in 1896. Our duty is to protect and preserve the history and heritage of the Confederate soldier, of many ethnicities. This duty was given to us by the Confederate Veterans themselves, and was given to no other group. We are the direct descendants of those men.
Our ancestor's Battle Flag makes no distinction about race, creed or religious affiliation. We stand unequivocally against hate groups for their desecration of those symbols that reflect the best in us: our Christian Cross, our United States Flag, and our beloved Saint Andrew's Cross, the flags of our courageous ancestors.
Recent actions by opportunistic special interests have compounded the horrific actions of these hate groups by further dividing black and white Southerners of good will and long standing brotherhood. We stand with all good-hearted Americans in strongly condemning "race haters" of any ilk.
Charles Kelly Barrow
