Alabama Newspaper Editorial Says Ku Klux Klan ‘Needs to Ride Again’

“If we could get the Klan to go up there and clean out D.C., we’d all been better off,” publisher Goodloe Sutton tells the Montgomery Advertiser

Ku Klux Klan

A local Alabama newspaper is raising eyebrows after running an editorial from its publisher calling for the Ku Klux Klan to “ride again.”

“Time for the Ku Klux Klan to night ride again,” the Feb. 14 editorial in the local Democrat-Reporter read. “Seems like the Klan would be welcome to raid the gated communities [in Washington]. They call them compounds now. Truly they are the ruling class.”

The piece went on to criticize D.C. politicians for “plotting to raise taxes in Alabama” and accused national Democrats of leading the United States into unnecessary wars.

The small local paper does not have a website, but images of the piece began making the rounds on Twitter this week. The story was first reported by the local Montgomery Advertiser on Monday.

In a statement to the Advertiser, publisher Goodloe Sutton confirmed that he wrote the editorial and explained more of what he meant.

“If we could get the Klan to go up there and clean out D.C., we’d all been better off,” he said, clarifying to the Advertiser that he was specifically talking about lynching. “We’ll get the hemp ropes out, loop them over a tall limb and hang all of them.”

Reps for the  Democrat-Reporter did not immediately respond to request for comment Tuesday, and efforts to reach Sutton were also unsuccessful.

The editorial prompted swift condemnation in Alabama political circles.

“For the millions of people of color who have been terrorized by white supremacy, this kind of ‘editorializing’ about lynching is not a joke – it is a threat,” Rep. Terri Sewell tweeted. “These comments are deeply offensive and inappropriate, especially in 2019. Mr. Sutton should apologize and resign.”

“OMG! What rock did this guy crawl out from under? This editorial is absolutely disgusting & he should resign -NOW! I have seen what happens when we stand by while people-especially those with influence- publish racist, hateful views,” Alabama Senator Doug Jones said in a tweet of his own. “Words matter. Actions matter. Resign now!”

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