New Yorkers Stomp the Klan
New York, NY – Nearly 10,000 outraged demonstrators overwhelmed a Ku Klux Klan march, October 23. Following a long series of court battles, the Klan was permitted to march in downtown Manhatten's, Foley Square. The American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan anticipated 200 people in their ranks. Only 16 showed up.
Mayor Giuliani and the NYPD went all out to protect the Klan from anti-racist demonstrators. More than 100 cops were mobilized. Police snipers were on the rooftops of four adjacent buildings. Protesters were manhandled into cramped pens, in an attempt to control protester's movements
Despite the NYPD's efforts, one anti-racist, a high school counselor from Brooklyn, was able to get through police lines and punch the Klan's Grand Dragon in the face.
Throughout the afternoon there were confrontations with the police. “Blue Klux Klan”, a reference to the NYPD's blue uniforms was a popular chant. The recent spree of police killings added to people's anger. Many raised chants and slogans around the case of Amadou Diallo, am unarmed African immigrant murdered by NYPD. Diallo was shot 41 times.