As rumors swirl around campus about whom might be protesting on campus during the debate, the Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan confirmed they will be here, but not as demonstrators.The Klansmen will be "invisible," trying to blend in just as anyone else, the emperor of the MWK said in an e-mail. The emperor wrote, "The Mississippi White Knights will have officers and Klansmen on hand for the presidential debate on September 26, 2008. Our people will be in Oxford and on the campus 'invisible.' That means our people won't be in regalia or demonstrating. So, I guess you'll just have to guess which of the people present are Klansmen.
"Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions about the Mississippi White Knights.
"....not that we'll answer them or anything. (see below)"
'NON SILBA SED ANTHAR'
Emperor, Mississippi White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan."
The e-mail came from the address, emperor@mississippiwhiteknights.com, but the sender would not identify himself nor respond to more questions.
The Latin words, "Non silba sed anthar," translate to: "Not for oneself but for others," a motto the Klan has used since the 19th century.
Executive assistant to the Chancellor Andy Mullins heard the rumors three weeks ago but said Thursday that no one had applied for a permit to demonstrate.
However, groups who want to protest on debate day will not have to apply for permits with the university, Vice Chancellor for University Relations Gloria Kellum, said. The U.S. Secret Service has designated the band practice field behind the Music Building, formally Scruggs Hall, for those who want to stage protests, Kellum said.
The university is entirely a "free-speech zone," but people are encouraged to go to "speakers corners" to talk, university attorney Lee Tyner said. The corners are located at the flagpole in the Circle and in the area between the Union and the Grove.
