Police gear up for Ku Klux Klan gathering

OSCEOLA, Ind. -- Authorities from two counties are hoping for a peaceful weekend at a private farm hosting a white pride-themed festival in northern Indiana.\nThe farm, owned and inhabited by a family that runs the Church of the National Knights of Ku Klux Klan, is in St. Joseph County, just adjacent to Elkhart County.\nOfficers from the St. Joseph and Elkhart county sheriff's departments will work together to monitor the festival, along with police from Mishawaka, South Bend and Elkhart, and the Indiana State Police.\nThe event could draw 400 to 800 people, said Maj. Bob Finn of the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department.\nOfficers have discussed the White Pride Festival with Klan leader Richard Loy, who lives on the property, and will work to see no one's rights are violated and no laws are broken, Finn said.\nAn event with a similar theme took place in Powderly, Ky., earlier this summer without incident. That festival was organized in a rural region, but the Klan property is in a residential area, Finn said.\nRichard Loy, the state leader of the group, has an unlisted telephone number. A message seeking comment was left Wednesday at the home of his father, Railton Loy, the international imperial wizard of the group.\nMany of the Osceola residents who live near the farm have long complained about activities on the property.\nBarb Franklin, a member of an anti-hate group who lives several houses away from the Klan property, said she is disappointed the event will occur at all.\nThose who oppose the festival and other white-supremacist activity say the presence of the KKK and other hate groups hurts the social and cultural health of northern Indiana.\nThe festival was advertised on several white supremacist Web sites. The advertisements promise speakers, concerts from bands with names like "Fueled by Hate," tattoo booths, strength contests and food.\nOn some sites the event is advertised as costing $25 at the gate, and on other sites a $25 donation is listed.\nIn June, an injunction prohibiting commercial activities at the festival was issued in St. Joseph County Circuit Court. After the injunction was issued, Klan leaders Railton and Richard Loy said they would not require admission fees but would just seek donations.