The Ku Klux Klan has filed a lawsuit for being denied participation in a highway cleanup program and now the state of Georgia is asking the judge to dismiss the charges.
The Associated Press reported that on behalf of the KKK, The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation filed a suit because the Klan says the state of Georgia has violated their freedom of speech.
"The response argues claims against state agencies and officials are generally barred in state courts by sovereign immunity," reported the AP.
USA Today reported that the KKK applied on May 21 to help cleanup route 515 in the Appalachian Mountains of Union County in Georgia. This was for the Adopt a Highway Program which "is designed to allow civic-minded organizations in good standing to provide the valuable public service of removing litter from designated roadways."
USA Today reported that in a statement the Georgia Department of Transportation said that it rejected the KKK's application after discussing with Governor Nathan Deal who also is the chair of the State Transportation Board.
The Georgia Department of Transportation said in a statement, "Maintaining the safety of our roadways is this Department's foremost mission. Encountering signage and members of the KKK along a roadway would create a definite distraction to motorists. Also, the section of roadway requested is ineligible for adoption due to its posted speed limit exceeding the program maximum of 55 mph.
Further, promoting an organization with a history of inciting civil disturbance and social unrest would present a grave concern to the Department," USA Today reported.
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