Dale Peskin, Loudoun Times-Mirror, February 28, 2018

In a letter to county law enforcement officials, an attorney for the Ku Klux Klan warns against efforts to prevent distribution of KKK literature in Loudoun and threatens legal action to defend the rights of the Klan.

The letter from Jason Robb of the Robb Law Firm in Harrison, Arkansas, pledges to “ensure the Constitutionally protected rights that individuals have in distribution of literature associated with The Knights or any other organization are not infringed.”

Robb’s client, the Knights Party Committee, is widely identified as the KKK. In a copy of the letter obtained by the Times-Mirror, Robb affirmed that “some type of KKK literature” was distributed in Loudoun, but was not aware if it was distributed by his client, the Knights Party.

His letter was addressed to Loudoun County Commonwealth Attorney Jim Plowman (R), Sheriff Michael Chapman (R), Leesburg Police Chief Gregory Brown and a sheriff’s detective assigned to the county’s investigation into the distribution of unwanted KKK literature in Leesburg and other parts of the county.

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“We will continue to act with due diligence to determine if any crimes were committed so that we can enforce laws and keep the peace within our community,” said Kraig Troxell of the LCSO.

The KKK letter came as Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Phyllis Randall (D) and community leaders pressed law enforcement leaders to identify the source of the hate campaign and to take appropriate action to prevent distribution of KKK literature to residents who did not want it.

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Packets of hate materials attempting to recruit Loudoun residents to join the KKK have been distributed in Leesburg, Upperville and Lovettsville neighborhoods during the night on multiple occasions since late last year. Most were left on driveways or on lawns. KKK literature was also sent to Times-Mirror offices.

NAACP President Phillip Thompson called for county leaders to send “a clear and unequivocal message that this type of hate is unwelcome.” He speculated that the KKK may be planning to hold a rally in Loudoun. “They can’t go back to Charlottesville, so they are checking the reaction in Loudoun County to see if it will make a good site for a rally.”

The letter from Robb challenged press releases from the sheriff’s office and Leesburg Police citing their cooperation in investigating the KKK flyers. The letter also challenged the local law-enforcement agencies for speaking to the media about the investigation.

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“In the past, a city may attempt to investigate the matter or try to arrest individuals who are simply engaging in this Constitutionally protected activity of literature distribution,” Robb wrote. “Likewise, attempts to sell ‘permits’ or in other ways attempt to force individuals to obtain ‘permission’ or by other means regulate this fundamental right has been prohibited by the courts.”

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Chairwoman Randall said Wednesday that she discussed the KKK fliers with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and was told the KKK had not violated any laws.

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The materials distributed in Loudoun included racial and religious slurs against blacks, Muslims and Jews.

On his Twitter page, Jason Robb identifies himself as “a Christian attorney who is a White nationalist that believes the protection and preservation of his people.” On his blog, he notes his father, Thomas Robb, who is the national director, spiritual leader and chief spokesman of the Knights Party.