Georgia rejects Ku Klux Klan bid to "adopt" highway

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Georgia rejects Ku Klux Klan bid to "adopt" highway

By David Beasley
ATLANTA | Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:49pm EDT

(Reuters) - A Ku Klux Klan chapter's request to "adopt" a stretch of road in Georgia was rejected by state authorities on Tuesday, setting up a possible court fight over the right of the white supremacist group to participate in the highway clean-up program.

Under adopt-a-highway initiatives in Georgia and other U.S. states, groups volunteer to pick up trash and plant trees along the highway. Road signs are typically installed to recognize the organizations' efforts.

Georgia cited public safety concerns in denying the Union County Klan's application to participate in the program.

"The impact of erecting a road sign naming an organization which has a long rooted history of civil disturbance would cause a significant public concern," the Georgia Department of Transportation wrote the Klan chapter.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/13/us-usa-georgia-kkk-idUSBRE85C01C20120613

[russspeakeasy]

1. No doubt, I will be in the minority (no pun intended)

but sometimes I think we should allow these assholes to have their signs.
Visitors to the state would see that state's political system for what it is and keep going.

[jaysunb]

2. I agree...

not to mention their 1st amendment rights.

[Bjorn Against]

3. If the KKK were buying their own signs this would be a first amendment issue

I believe the state pays for the signs acknowledging road cleanup groups however and if there is taxpayer money involved it is no longer a free speech issue as the state has no obligation to spend money that would promote any particular group

[dsc]

4. this is a perfect example of viewpoint discimination

which is expressly forbidden by the first amendment.