News

June 25, 2007

No rally in Hazleton, says ex-Klan head

Joe Bednarsky says he’s quit as leader, disbanded group. It’s possible another Klan group could go to city.

SHERRY LONG slong@timesleader.com

HAZLETON – The Ku Klux Klan won’t be holding a rally in Hazleton as originally believed. At least not the Confederate Knights of the Ku Klux Klan based in New Jersey.

Claiming he’s done with the hate movement, Joe Bednarsky resigned as the organization’s imperial wizard effective midnight Thursday, saying he was tired of fighting for a dying cause.

It is possible, but unknown at this time if another Klan chapter might protest in Hazleton, but Bednarsky said the Confederate Knights would not be present because upon his resignation he also disbanded the organization. The Confederate Knights were founded in Melville, N.J., in September 2006.

While the former Klan leader appeared to have turned over a new leaf trying to leave behind his hateful past, others familiar with groups such as these had their doubts.

“We will wait and see if he is sincere,” said Barry Morrison, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware.

“Actions speak louder than words.”

Bednarsky’s group only had a handful of followers including his mother, Morrison said.

Floyd Cochran knows people can change. He did. In July 1992, he left an Aryan Nation in Idaho as the propaganda director after he learned his son would be killed because of a birth defect – a cleft palate.

Since then he has toured the country and commonwealth talking to church groups, school children and college students to warn them about the dangers of hate groups.

As host of a weekly talk show at 9 p.m. Thursdays over the Internet, Cochran dispels myths about racism.

The former New Jersey Klan leader will be the featured guest next Thursday.

Bednarsky has said he would like to join forces with Cochran to help other people see the truth behind hate groups.

Cochran warned people must be leery of people saying they have turned against hate.

Bednarsky must first prove himself by apologizing to the city of Hazleton, Cochran said. If he is not willing to do that, Cochran said, then Bednarsky is not welcome on his team.

“I’m not going to buy into yesterday I hated and now I love,” he said.

“It’s not that easy.”

For more information -

Floyd Cochran’s radio show, Eye on Hate Blog Talk Radio, will be broadcast through the Eye on Hate Web site at www.eyeonhate.com at 9 p.m. Thursday.

Sherry Long, a Times Leader staff writer can be reached at 829-7159.

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