What this article doesn’t mention was that the jury consisted of seven ALL WHITE persons. =D

Hope the IKA gets proper flogged this time.

Congratulations! I so admire your organization’s work; and hope a good sum can be collected for Jordan Gruver.

Whoo!
And this is just the beginining, for the war against Hate. And thus, it appears that the skinheads were merely asking for defeat by exibiting instigation through displays of symbols that represents Hate. They have shown no respect of the courts, the judicial system and the rule of law. With that being said, now they must pay for the price of Hate.

Kudos to Morris Dees and the SPLC. To a job well done.

Congratulations on this victory! My warmest thank you for Mr. Morris Dees, Mr. Richard Cohen and every staff at SPLC. I also thank you for all the fellow supporters of SPLC, too!

I wish the very best for the future of Jordan and all of his family members and friends.

I am grateful for the incredible courage and persistence of Morris Dees and everyone who works with the SPLC.

I got chills reading about this verdict. Thank you to everyone at the SPLC for all the good work that you do and may Jordan know a life of peace and happiness.

So I guess this means no more Nordic Fest right?

Congratulations to Jordan and the SPLC on yesterday’s victory and in serving justice to these pathetic excuses for human beings. It is sickening to think that these types of crimes still occur in the 21st Century but with courageous people within organizations such as yours, any unfortunate victims have hope and a fighting chance. Great work!

I never post comments on these types of websites, but I can’t resist today. I am so inspired by the work of the SPLC. Your tireles and courageous work in condemning ignorance and hate and holding its perpetrators accountable moves me beyond words. You make the world a better place, and I thank you.

As someone who is part Nordic myself I have to say that we do not, under any circumstances, like to have hate festivals named after us and have our Gods called up by hate groups. And to have our symbols used as code for haters.

Thank you. We love you. That’s all.

Oh, and WHOO-HOOOOO!!!

Great!!! I am very proud of being part of an organization that does so much good in a lawful and nonviolent manner. This is a victory for universal civil liberties and human rights. You guys are amazing and true national heroes.
Keep it up!!!

First off, I would like to thank God for answering prayer and I am so happy to hear of the victory not only over the Klan, but the devil. Amen!

Where there is grace, there is NO race…

^[2] home of Joseph V. Bednarsky Jr. Ministries

For God’s Glory, Joe

Excellent. Justice has been served.

Thank you!

Justice is done. You guys rock!

We live in a very unique time.
We have the first President that represents a rich diversity, that is America, we have an expression of outrage at hate groups, & we have people who fight them on a legal level.
But let us not forget that Civil Liberties allow for a diversity of opinions and ways of life. This is extremely important as America IS NOT a single Party nation, nor is it a single minded, knee-jerk reaction to perceived slights.
When people on University campuses become so closed minded that they do not ALLOW any divination from what is “politically correct” and choose to define what IS correct, that is a slippery slope that leads to the same outcome; in that, too far to the Right OR Left leads to the same totalitarian place.
It takes a far more insightful mind to defend all points of view within socially acceptable parameters than it does a herd-like mentality.
I have seen (far too often) people shouted down when speaking on issues such as Abortion, Gun Control, Crime, & religion than should be for Civil Liberties to be fully protected [as set forth in the Bill of Rights].
Certain ACTIONS should not be tolerated but free speech must remain protected. The truly strong are not threatened by opposing views. The truly strong can even listen with an open mind to views unlike their own.
Intelligent men & women know where the “line” is that should not be crossed but for any opposing view of that which is not PC to be drowned out with a cacophony of chanting only reflects a certain fear which is disproportionate to that which is health discourse.
Let us not allow a victory over a hate group to drive us to an extreme of ideology that assumes that ANY divination from the “model of correct thinking” is evil.
Not only is there room for different thinking on many subjects but a healthy mind allows both sides of many issues to be weighed in the light of reason.

I am NOT talking about issues relating to the Klan, per se’. I am talking about a much wider aspect of looking at what would be termed alternative perspectives on social issues that we use as “voting magnets” & why they even exist to begin with. Distilled down, they often reflect a certain fear that ANY deviation from the “politically correct” is the “Camel’s nose in the tent”….
That was the slippery slope to BOTH Hitler and Stalin.

We can be much stronger than that. We can have discussions on Immigration without calling all who hold a differing view “Nativists”. We can have discussions on Gun Control without using terms like “gun nuts”, or Abortion discussions without demeaning anther’s religious perspectives. When we are really strong we can even allow a degree of empathy. And that is where we can find common ground to get things accomplished.

i am glad to see this happen we should all pray that the hate some people have for others who are not like them can be changed with love

It does my heart and spirit good to read such blogs as this. Yes we do and should have freedom of speech and its true that not all of us will ever completely agree on every single subject however along with any freedom goes the accountability for how that freedom is excercised. When the freedom of speech is used as an excuse to denigrate a group of people simply because the speaker doesnt like that group, thats when it goes outside the boundary of free speech and becomes hate speech.
A good rule of thumb, I suppose, would be that if your words are intended to do unjustifiable harm then you shouldnt speak them. If your actions are meant to do unjustifiable harm then you shouldnt do it.
And for the record, predjudice is never justifiable.

I am an attorney who grew up in western Kentucky. As a result I know plenty about the bigotry that permeates the social framework there, just below the surface. For Morris and the SPLC to win a verdict in that venue is absolutely stunning. Excellent jury selection and great lawyering is the only way this could have been won and you did it! Morris, you are da man!!

Great verdict…..judgement could have been higher. Hope there is a transfer of deed on 15 acres belonging to the IKA. Shut them all down…..

Just one of many groups that need to be shut down. Now if we can get the same people to target the latino gangs that are killing people and victimizing thousands across the southern US, that would be a great second round to this fight. Let’s see them target MS-13, the Latin Queens, and all the other punk ass groups out there with the same fervor.

There is truth in what you say Carter. Freedom of speech is important and must be protected. So long as it remains free speech.

As we all know these gentleman (a term used very lightly) of the IKA went further then just freedom of speech. If these people wished to just sit around and complain about minorities in their prejudice and bigotry then I say let them. So long as they show no threat to the general public. But when they become a threat to innocent people, then it is no longer a issue of free speech.

And me being a self described “Gun Nut” and proud member of the NRA will still bask in the victory won by Morris Dees. A violent group of people known as the Imperial Klans of America have been beaten today, and justice served. God be praised and God bless Morris Dees.

I am relieved that we have a verdict that will benefit the victim and send a clear message to the haters. We have far too many episodes to quit pursuing hate crime perpetrators.
Just within the past few days on Long Island and in Syracuse we have vicious murders against both Hispanic and Gay persons. The road to justice is long and stressful.

What I find most disturbing is that these people have an organized, publicly chartered, dues and membership fees club.

Their charter is “Screw everyone that doesn’t look and think the way we do.” Okay, so that’s paraphrasing, but it’s pretty close.

The KKK are considered terrorists by many, what with the lynchings and death threats and property destruction over the years. The IKA swears blind they got nothing to do with anything illegal but constantly references it’s roots with the people who DID do all that and more.

Word to the wise, the Hell’s Angels have the same disclaimer concerning members of their chapters breaking the law, doesn’t stop them taking heat for members that get busted and frankly I trust them more than I trust anyone that says they believe in the word of God and then say they don’t believe all men are created equal. Religion or genetics, it’s tough to try and refute equality without me making a fool of you.

You guys are the bomb!

bless all of you that work for justice against hate crimes and the violence, injuries, deaths and hatred they promote.
i am a single mother of a biracial ‘child’ ( now an adult ), ive been very aware of the danger he could be in if ever he has any contact, however accidental, with any of these hate mongers.
bless your victory and tell jordan that at least i will be hold him in the Light, ( quaker prayer ) that the harm that’s been inflicted on him does not cripple or maim him permanetly. it can happen, tho it maybe a long and slow process.
this is i know, as a victor in many difficult, harmful and felonious assaults.
mr. cohen and mr dees, you are the heros i wish i could be.

So, how do you go about collecting from these guys? who’s the brave soul that goes up against their shotguns and assault rifles and knocks on their door?
A court decision by itself is useless against people who do not respect the law.

yes, great victory for “our side”. but, rome wasnt built in day, and every journey begins with just one first step. we that ARE DEDICTED TO SPLC’S WORK MUST BE TENACIOUS, RELENTLESS AND KEEP OUR EYE’S ON “THE PRIZE”. we, on ‘our side’ must also know it will not work unless we hate the sin and not the sinner, or we risk placing ourselves in a risky, questionable position; mostly, becoming the opposite version of those we war peacefully against. it will not be easy, it requires dedication and even loving those who’s actions and behaviors we despise. that is the only way it will truely work successfully and PEACEFULLY.
and we also must practice forgiveness, or it makes mockery of the things we’ve chosen to support: loving tolerance of persons of all aspects of our society.

Ok, now when is the SPLC going after the hate group La Raza? Brown Barets?

Sandra….I dont think that playing nice with hate mongers would work very well on account of them not being willing to play nice.

Mark….Ive never heard of either the la raza or the brown berets….Who are they ?

Mark,

Can you name a single *valid* reason why the SPLC should go ‘after La Raza and the Brown Barets”? What Hate Crimes are they’re accused of? Can you name a single violent incident that they’ve engaged in?(i. e. plotting to assasinate Morris Dees or staff at SPLC etcetera). Has La Raza engaged in domestic terrorism like the WNs? If so, what have they bombed? If you can’t name a single legit excuse with valid reports on such violent incidents, then there’s no point in wasting time going after them.

Rev. Boony,
Mark is a racist who thinks that La Raza (“The People” in Spanish) are a hate group because they focus on equality for Hispanics. It is just like my students who, when they hear that February is Black History Month, ask me, “When are we ever going to have White History Month?”

Dear SPLC,

Congratulations on a win for humanity! Thank you God for helping and guiding the SPLC for helping those who do not have a voice to fight racism. You have given this young man hope for a loving future.

Your work is forever valued in the eyes of many. Please know that I will continue to pray for the SPLC and those that fight for justice for peoples of all colors and walks of life.

God our creator and architect of the universe is indeed Great!

Many, many blessings!

Glad to hear the verdict. Let’s hope that these people will stop being racists, but I doubt it. Even up north here I hear slurs since Obama won the election. It is a shame. It is usually the holier than thou ones, that are two-faced. Love thy neighbor as thyself should be their motto, as they consider themselves as Christians, but in reality they are even worse than those that don’t believe in God.

Thank you sarah.
Now what about the brown berets ?
Ive never heard of them either.

I think its ironic that those who would deny equality for others based on religious or personal beliefs, would call the groups of people they dont like deviant among many other cruel and unwarrented things yet be unable to look in the mirror and see the truth of their own hate and fear filled souls.
Ironic and very sad.

SPLC.

Excellent job on bringing justice to young Jordan.

Please do not forget the innocent murder victms of MS-13 and FS-13:

^[3]

The Latino gangs are just as savage as any KKK or Aryan nation white supremacist.

Justice truly has been served here, but there is still much work ahead. As long as the far right continues to make unsubstantiated claims of a so-called “NAFTA Superhighway” and claims of our country being “invaded” continue to be articulated by these same groups (and are validated by far right propaganda artists such as Bill O’Reilly, Glenn Beck, and Lou Dobbs), these types of attacks will only continue. Until such groups are exposed for what they truly are, people of all races must maintain their vigilance.

Boony,
Let me ask you something, since you seemed to be ill-informed around here. Have you ever heard of the search engine called “GOOGLE”??? If you have, may I suggest you do some little research into “La Raza” which is referred to as the National Council of La Raza(NCLR) and I’m not sure why the White Supremacists like to refer to them as a “racist” group when its merely a civil rights group. And then there’s the “Brown Barets” which is an underground insignificance deemed harmless since they don’t engage in any extremists activities as the WN, let alone, garnering any influences on society to be regarded as a public threat.
I wonder if you are new with computers and you are just getting up to date on the latest racisms and the hategroups that SPLC specializes in. You sound like you have much to learn in this field. Hopefully you will do some homework, so you`ll know who’s who or what they represent.

You will never STOP HATE

Yahoo! It is about time these groups started paying for all the hurt and intimidation they have caused, to bad it can’t help the people of the past. It is time for the “Change” in thinking, everyone of us are basically “mutts” as the new improved President Elect said, we all come from various backgrounds and isn’t that exactly why we came to this country, to become a nation in whole, not fragmented? Congratulations!

The One Thing You Will Never Do Is Change What This Evil United States Was Founded On Racism and Hate it will always be the Cornerstone of this Rich White and Rich Jewish controlled and always in Power United States.

Geno….Youngun……Yes, I have heard of google and in fact, I have a gmail account.
Now, you are right about my not being up to speed on all the various groups in existance which is why I ask questions….Something you seem to have a problem with.
Let me assure you that its your problem, not mine.
As for my methods of research….Google is just one of them.
As for my being computer literate and internet savvy…..Well, after about 6 or 7 years of using the computer and walking the web, I may not be perfect but Im far from being a nube.

Albert…..We may never completely illiminate hate but that doesnt mean that we shouldnt continue to fight against it.

Albert….In regards to your comment on the founding of the u.s., I agree that when it was first founded, it was done with the commision of many crimes and attrocities BUT that doesnt mean that we cant become a nation of better people OR that we cant learn from our past mistakes.

Congratulations, to mr. Morris Dees and Richard Coen
this VICTORY, equals The VICTORY of BARAK OBAMA

Thank you for all you do. the fight is not over.

I agree with you Reverend Boony I am just telling the truth on the facts of this evil sick United States.

“Something you seem to have a problem with. Let me assure you that it is you problem, not mine.”

Boony, its not “just my problem” as you would like to believe. Its America`s problem, if not, then the entire world. Racism and Hate Groups that come with it are not limited to one person. Every non-White/Jews in this country are victimized by it regardless of what kind of a person you are. Certainly religious preachers and missionaries are no stranger to religious persecution because of their faith.
Since you are stating that its “not your problem” then you possess no clue as to what racism, bias, bigortry, and discrimination can do to you. Then you really must be that clueless. Which is why I’m an avid critic of these WN groups. Because I have seen their faces of hate generated by their fear and dislike of a non-White. Not that I was a victim of a hate crime myself but I have known several comrades who were. And I have a family member discriminated against simply because she is a non-White.
But since you are new here, and by reading these comments, maybe just maybre you`ll learn something new other than the Bible.

Glad to see justice has been served…I hope this verdict will bring the Gruver family the peace they deserve. Keep it up!

RIGHT ON AND KEEP THE GOOD WORK UP AGANIST HATE GROUP’S EVERY WHERE,THIS MUST COME TO A END ! IN JESUS NAME AMEN,AMEN

Re the conversation between Rev. Boony & Geno: the Wikipedia entry for Brown Berets (the first item listed on Google) provides a reasonably succinct and accurate portrayal of that group from the late ’60s and ’70s. But it is rather bare bones. If you’d like to get some real flavor of that era, check out Oscar Zeta Acosta’s Autobiography of a Brown Buffalo (Zeta A. was an attorney who defended some of the Brown Berets in Los Angeles courts). Or, alternatively, look at Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Zeta A. is “Dr. Gonzo”).

So I have a Question would the SPLC help me in getting a 2.5 million verdict against this Toilet Bowl US Government.They have destroyed all of my dreams of having the same employment opportunities as all these garbage Foreigners have that have flooded my country for the last 80 years.

Would they take the United States Government to court and get me money for the pain and suffering I have been put through.

Geno….You must not have read my post very well.
When I said it was your problem….I was referring to my asking questions….In other words, if you have a problem with my asking questions on this or any other forum then it is exactly that….YOUR PROBLEM.

By the way…..Im a wiccan minister….Not a christian one.

Thank you steve.

Also on the ABC World News Tonight Sunday`s edition did a piece regarding the rise of hate incidents across the U.S. Including the SPLC`s recent victory against the IKA. Morris Dees was interviewed including several White Supremacists such as Ron Edwards among others including the victim of a vicious beating–Jordan Gruver. One can watch the entire documentaries by login into the National Geographic Society`s website.

Morris Dees quotes:
“You have the right to hate. I support that right. But you do not have the right to cross the line and hurt somebody.”
–Unquote

I agree to his logic.

I pray to God that he keep this world together.

I’m willing to bet the television watching, kool-aid gulping brainwashed jurors wouldn’t have awarded that amount to a white victim had they been assaulted by the thugs of the New Black Panthers.

White nationalism is growing (I joined an organization a few months ago!), no matter how much people try to stop it.

14/88

-Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen said,

on November 25th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

I’m willing to bet the television watching, kool-aid gulping brainwashed jurors wouldn’t have awarded that amount to a white victim had they been assaulted by the thugs of the New Black Panthers.

White nationalism is growing (I joined an organization a few months ago!), no matter how much people try to stop it.

14/88

-Concerned Citizen

Dude….”White Nationalism” has always been around……Its just another “nicey nicey” name for predjudice and intollerance.

As for the judgement against the haters being fair…..I think that justice would have been better served if the knights had been charged with terrorism and prosecuted accordingly….Maybe even doing a stint at gutuanamo.

Hey I suggested the exact same thing :D Terrorism is terrorism no matter what shade of White the purpetrators are. Weather it’s protestant Klansmen or muslim Al-Qaida anyone who terrorizes is a terrorist, period. Coercing Blacks, Jews and others not to vote via threats of violence and violent actions is terrorism in it’s most basic form. I’m very willing to fight the war on terror here on the domestic front, I’d be more then happy to round up a few Klansmen and haul them away to terror camps where they belong.

If these “White Nationalist” have such a problem with Blacks in America they should have thought about it before being so damn cheap and lazy as to have slaves. Blacks are here to stay, but White Nationalist are free to leave if they want. They won’t be missed.

Another Great Day in American History! I am Proud to be an American Today! This along with the election of our new President make it a great time to be an American. I feel that the Courage and Commitment these Attorneys displayed is beyond compare. Hopefully someday trials like this will be a thing of the past along with hate groups like the IKA. Untill then the SPLC will be here to fight and strike fear into the Hearts of all the members of these organizations!

Finally a victory against bigotry of the worst kind, I hope you are dilligent in collecting every penny owed to this young man and his family for the horror inflicted on him by these cretins.

This is the 21st century, not the 15th and you simply can’t get away with this in a civilised society.

this lawsuit was personal against Ron. nothing else.

Its fine to bankrupt these groups in fact its what these assholes deserve and have coming to them. However- lets not jump ahead of ourselves. Money is not the motivating factor that keeps the klan and other WN in action. its all personal, they have no value or price tag. they don’t seek money as much as we think. even now as the entire financial world collapses- they will continue to keep themselves as hateful as ever because the recession is really leverage for them- they WANT the world to burn so that they can feel that they’re right about something. The real way of combating this problem isn’t just cutting thier funds, its also regarding them as a terrorist organization and a danger to our society. They need to be told loudly and clearly that their promotion of hate is wrong (knocking thier heads isn’t going to work-two wrongs don’t make right). Its not about money or violence its about sending a message. Also its important to realize that for every man or woman that joins a WN group people also leave them too. its futile. like iceskating up a hill.accept that world is changing.

bob cooper said,

on February 25th, 2009 at 10:43 am

Its fine to bankrupt these groups in fact its what these assholes deserve and have coming to them. However- lets not jump ahead of ourselves. Money is not the motivating factor that keeps the klan and other WN in action. its all personal, they have no value or price tag. they don’t seek money as much as we think. even now as the entire financial world collapses- they will continue to keep themselves as hateful as ever because the recession is really leverage for them- they WANT the world to burn so that they can feel that they’re right about something. The real way of combating this problem isn’t just cutting thier funds, its also regarding them as a terrorist organization and a danger to our society. They need to be told loudly and clearly that their promotion of hate is wrong (knocking thier heads isn’t going to work-two wrongs don’t make right). Its not about money or violence its about sending a message. Also its important to realize that for every man or woman that joins a WN group people also leave them too. its futile. like iceskating up a hill.accept that world is changing.

I agree bob…..In fact, I think we should continue to do both.