An example of how the Ku Klux Klan took it upon itself to enforce the drug laws by working outside the justice system. This ad appeared in the Sunbury Daily Item on April 4, 1924. It encouraged the public to report “law violations” to the Klan at its post office box in Sunbury – not directly to the police or other authorities. At this time it is not known what, if any, extra-legal actions resulted from this reporting system. In addition to its hatred of African Americans, Jews, Catholics, immigrants and others who were not white Protestants, the Klan was actively opposed to activities it considered to be morally damaging to society and used intimidation and terroristic acts to “enforce” its beliefs.
HINT AT DOPE PEDDLING
Intimation that Sunbury youth is menaced by dope peddling as well as bootlegging, is given in the following paid advertisement submitted to The Item today by the “Ku Klux Klan.”
“Citizens Take Notice”
“The INVISIBLE EMPIRE IS HERE, There and Everywhere. Our young people shall not be the innocent victims of Dope Peddling and Bootlegging.
“Help make Sunbury a better place in which to raise our children. Report all law violations to Post Office Box 287, Sunbury, Pennsylvania.
“KNIGHTS of the KU KLUX KLAN“
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Article from Newspapers.com.
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