Quick-upWith Alex Ssenabulya aka King Desire is one of the upcoming irresistible artistes Uganda is about to face.
Which schools did you attend?
I went to Nkumba Primary School, Kakungulu High School in Bombo district for Ordinary level and Kololo Senior Secondary School for Advanced level.
Why did you join music?
I used to stage shows way back in high school and my fellow students believed in me which gave me courage to take it as a career. Besides, I did not have tuition to push my studies so this made me focus on my music.
When did you join the music industry?
I joined in 2009
Which kind of music do you do?
I do Afro, Souk and Dancehall music
How many songs do you have?
I have five songs and they include Ndabayo,Nabwaka,Bamawale,Eagle and Feel Me and they are all doing well
Who inspired you to join music?
Mesach Ssemakula is one of Uganda’s artistes I admire mainly for his character
Where do you come from?
I come from Kulambilo village, Kisasi Kondogolo Zone in Kampala district.
What is your family background?
I am the first of three boys; my mother died and my father is an Executive Salesman at Roofings Limited.
Are you still single?
No I am seeing someone
Do you have a manager?
Prince Steve is my manager; big up to him
What pisses off?
When someone disses (sic) me especially my fellow artistes
What challenges have you encountered in this industry?
I lack money to promote my music because most media personalities are interested in money not the quality of music and this leaves most upcoming artistes vulnerable.
What have you achieved in music?
I have made new friends, met important people and people are recognizing me; I have planted an acre of coffee, pay rent and studio bills; so far the payments are not bad.
What is the most shocking thing that has ever happened to you?
When my girl friend caught me kissing another woman, she slapped me and I looked like a fool before everyone. I however, could not slap her back.
What are your future plans?
I would like to do collabos with big stars like Chameleone, Eddy Kenzo, and Juliana Kanyomozi
The past few months have been politically scintillating, becoming charged ever since Mr John Patrick Amama Mbabazi declared his intention to contest for the Presidency of Uganda.
Since that time both his critics and proponents have shown a heightened level of anxiety, with many giving differing opinions about Mbabazi’s current station in his party, the National Resistance Movement, and the government, where he has served in several high-level positions.
Most prominent of the former Prime Minister’s critics are some serving Ministers and party loyalists, who have taken to bashing their erstwhile boss whenever opportunity avails itself; something that many say has ‘helped expose the cracks’ in the ruling party.
Fortunately, President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the NRM party chairman, has elected to maintain a deafening silence, not making any belittling statements against his former ally and confidant.
Just like in every human endeavor or activity, in party politics, it is always advisable to respect the rules set therein, to avoid scuttling the collective gains already registered. This calls for civility and humility, because the two virtues are very important facets for any politician seeking to further his opportunities in any political organisation.
That said, if Uganda is to attain any meaningful development, it is important for all political players to put the country and its citizens before their individual interests.
It is only then that we, the citizens, will begin appreciating the daunting tasks of the people who lead us.
There is need for mutual respect among our politicians and countrymen
The past few months have been politically scintillating, becoming charged ever since Mr John Patrick Amama Mbabazi declared his intention to contest for the presidency of Uganda.
Since that time both his critics and proponents have shown a heightened level of anxiety, with many giving differing opinions about Mbabazi’s current station in his party, the National Resistance Movement, and the government, where he has served in several high-level positions.
Most prominent of the former Prime Minister’s critics are some serving Ministers and party loyalists, who have taken to bashing their erstwhile boss whenever opportunity avails itself; something that many say has ‘helped expose the cracks’ in the ruling party.
Fortunately, President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the NRM party chairman, has elected to maintain a deafening silence, not making any belittling statements against his former ally and confidant.
Just like in every human endeavor or activity, in party politics, it is always advisable to respect the rules set therein, to avoid scuttling the collective gains already registered. This calls for civility and humility, because the two virtues are very important facets for any politician seeking to further his opportunities in any political organisation.
That said, if Uganda is to attain any meaningful development, it is important for all political players to put the country and its citizens before their individual interests.
It is only then that we, the citizens, will begin appreciating the daunting tasks of the people who lead us.
Brazilian football legend Edison Arantes do Nascimento, aka Pele has undergone a prostate surgery at the Albert Einstein hospital. The 74 year-old athlete was taken to hospital with no details on why he was referred to the hospital.
According to the Globo Esporte website, Pele suffers from arthrodesis, a procedure used to treat pain caused by the motion or instability of the spine.
Pele is suffering from compression of two vertebrae which made him lose the strength in his legs, especially in his right leg.
The only player who won World Cup three times was to undergo this operation last year but other health problems forced him to put off the surgery.
‘O Rei’ (The King) as he is known, Pele was admitted on Tuesday, but his family did not allow the hospital to disclose the reason for the operation, Globo Esporte said.
Pele has been admitted to the same hospital several times since 2012 and expected to be discharged.
In May, Pele was admitted for four days and had surgery for an enlarged prostate.
Last November, Pele underwent operation for kidney stones and then came down with an illness that mandated treatment in a hospital intensive care unit for several days.
His only remaining kidney — the other was removed following a rib injury during his playing days — stopped working and had to be treated with dialysis.
He also had surgery on his femur in November 2012.
The athlete is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time.
Pele first secured Brazil’s victory against Sweden in 1958 at the age of 17.
The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga can now go about her duties without fear of being ripped to smithereens by a bomb detonated against her convoy.
This comes in the wake of police confirming the installation of bomb detectors in the Speaker’s cars, after a whistleblower wrote to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) Justice Irene Mulyagonja, claiming that Shs450 million that was released to purchase the hi-tech gadgets, was withdrawn and shared by police officials including the force’s Director of ICT Mr Amos Ngabirano.
However, addressing journalists at the police headquarters in Naguru, police spokesperson Mr Fred Enanga said the money, Shs200million, was used for its rightful purpose.
“It was two hundred million shillings that was approved by Parliament to enhance the escort vehicles of the Speaker and we purchased an ICD detection kit for all the vehicles,” Mr.Enanga said early today.
He dismissed reports that the money was ‘shared’, maintaining that some information is available for whoever wants to pursue the matter further.
“This money was procured and delivered and therefore I call upon anyone to come check with us for certain details; however there are some I can’t reveal for security purposes,” added Mr.Enanga.
The move is intended to heighten the security of the Speaker after reports emerged in 2012 that Ms Kadaga was in danger of being assassinated.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed the release of one Vincent Kaggwa, a youth activist loyal to presidential aspirant Amama Mbabazi, who was detained on suspicion of wanting to disrupt peace by supplying campaign material in mosques.
‘’We had him arrested just to curtail him from disrupting peace in the mosque where he was going to distribute the material he had,” Mr Enanga said.
Nigeria dominated the just concluded MTV Mama Awards as Uganda walked empty handed with Yemi Alade, Davido, P-Squre, Patoranking, Burna Boy, Mavins winning in their respective categories with Tanzanian Diamond Platinumz also winning in Best Live Act category. Ugandan Musicians who had made it to the list were Jose Chameleon and Bebe Cool.
Below is the full list of winners.
Best Female:
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
Best Male:
Davido (Nigeria)
Best Group:
P-Square (Nigeria)
Best New Act Transformed by Absolut:
Patoranking (Nigeria)
Best Hip Hop:
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Best Collaboration:
AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR: “All Eyes On Me” (SA/Nigeria)
Matthew Willsher, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria.
Fiction writers across Africa stand a chance to win US$15,000, the biggest prize on offer for the Etisalat Prize for Literature 2015.
According to a release, the first-ever prize to celebrate debuting African writers of fiction is sponsored by Nigerian telecommunications giant, Etisalat.
Entries for the competition, now in its third year, began on June 18 and will close on August 27 and
, says the prize for Literature is a platform to discover ‘new creative writing talents out of the African continent’.
According to Willsher, the first two editions were largely successful, with Ms NoViolet Buluwayo winning the maiden one while Songoziwe Mahlangu won the second edition after penning the novels We Need New Names and Penumbra, respectively.
English Professor Ato Quayson, and writers Molara Wood and Zukiswa Wanner are the judges and the trio will develop a list of nine novels and shortlist three, from which the winner will be determined.
Quayson is also the first Director of the Centre of the Diaspora Studies at the University of Toronto, while Ms Wood and Wanner are journalist and author, respectively, with the latter having written a novel, the Madams and Men of the South.
The winner will receive a ‘three-city book tour’ and a fellowship at the University of East Anglia under the mentorship of award-winning author, Professor Giles Foden, while two other shortlisted writers will receive a sponsored two-city book tour to promote their books.
‘The Etisalat Prize for Literature also supports publishers by purchasing 1000 copies of the shortlisted books for distribution within the continent,’ the release states and adds ‘Entries must be a writer’s first work of fiction of over 30,000 words, and published within the last 24 months’.
South African-President Jacob Zuma was discharged from hospital today Sunday July 19, 2015 after undergoing a scheduled procedure the previous day to remove gallstones, the presidency said.
“Doctors are pleased with the outcome of the operation. The President will spend the next few days resting and recuperating at home,” a statement from Zuma’s office said.
The presidency said on Saturday the gallstones were discovered about two months ago during a routine medical check-up.
With the setting sun’s rays striking through tress to the 18th fairway, a finely poised Flavia Namakula neatly putted to not only defend but also seal her fourth Tusker Malta Uganda Ladies Golf Open title at par-72 Kitante course on Saturday.
Having trailed eventual runner-up Eva Magala on Day One and leveled on Day Two, the victory broken a lot of sweat from the 29-year-old. No wonder Namakula first jubilation was a right-hand fist pump.
“It wasn’t easy, I had to keep clam; Eva played well,” a blissful Namakula said.
Taking a one-shot lead on the back-9, Namakula’s lead was under threat from the 10th hole shot as she settled for bogey. Eva Magala who was breathing down her neck sunk her shot for par to level the scores.
The par 4 11th was just was disastrous for Namakula who conceded a drop shot and with it a double bogey. Ea Magala did not do her chase and chance any favours; she settled for a bogey that putt her just one shot behind.
The 12th hole would offer Namakula’s no reprieve as her tee shot landed into the trees on the left of the fair way. Her approach on the green was not so close to the pin. She settled for bogey as Magala run through with ease for Par.
Namakula however recovered at the 13th; sinking a birdie, with her closest challenger, Magala faulted on the fairway for bogey, as the latter took a two-shot lead which she maintained until the 15hole where she pulled away with par.
Magala bogeyed and whispers in the gallery crowned the UPDF sergeant champion as two-horse race was over as a contest
“She just upped the ante on the 16th, 17th, and we couldn’t stay with her,” said Magala, the runners-up.
Namakula being every pundit’s favourite, the handicap one golfer wasn’t in the best form. She played second fiddle to Irene Nakalembe at the Entebbe Ladies Open (March 7) and South Africa Amateur Open Ladies Championship in Glendower (April 19).
She also finished a distant fourth at the Zambia Ladies Open in Lusaka three weeks ago.
Up next is the highly billed 73rd Amateur Open that has also attracted 27 new entries raising its participation to 90 golfers with the official practice on Tuesday before teeing off on Wednesday (July 22-25).
Uganda Kobs faces an uphill task coming into the return leg of the third round for the CAF U-23 Championship qualifier after a first leg 4-0 loss to Egypt at the Al Borg El Arba stadium in Alexandria on Saturday night.
Kobs fell to an early strike from Arab Contractors’ forward, Muhammed Salem just after 9 minutes and never recovered.
The Ugandan head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic sensing danger called for the first change of the game – introducing Erisa Ssekisambu for an ineffective Tadeo Lwanga minutes after the half hour mark.
Egypt had a change themselves with Shokry Nagiub replacing goal scorer, Salim Muhammed after the latter pulled a ham string with three minutes to end of the opening half.
ENPPI winger, Ahmed Refaat replaced Anderlecht target Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ after 65 minutes.
Refaat’s impact was immediately felt as he assisted in the Young Pharoah’s goals.
Ahly duo of Ramadan Sobhy and Mahmoud Trezeguet combined for the second.
John Ssemazzi was later introduced for the towering forward Hassan Fahad Muhammed but the visitors’ quest for the break through fell on dead end.
The Pharaohs further punished the Kobs’ reluctance with another well taken strike to give the Ugandans a mountain task coming into the second leg, Saleh Gomaa chipped for Muhammed Kahraba who rounded off the advancing Salim Jamal (goalkeeper) and slotted the ball into an empty net.
The return leg shall be played after a fortnight on August 1, 2015 at Nakivubo stadium.
A tattoo on the knuckles of a Klansman reads “Love” as he participates with members of the Nordic Order Knights and the Rebel Brigade Knights, groups that both claim affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan, in a cross lighting ceremony on a fellow member’s property in Henry… REUTERS/JOHNNY MILANO.
A Ku Klux Klan chapter and an African-American group plan overlapping demonstrations today Saturday 18,2015 outside the South Carolina State House, where state officials removed the Confederate battle flag last week.
Governor Nikki Haley, who called for the flag’s removal from the State House grounds after the killing of nine African-Americans in a Charleston church last month, urged South Carolinians to steer clear of the Klan rally.
“Our family hopes the people of South Carolina will join us in staying away from the disruptive, hateful spectacle members of the Ku Klux Klan hope to create over the weekend and instead focus on what brings us together,” Haley said in a statement posted to her Facebook page.
The Charleston shooting rekindled a controversy that has long surrounding the Confederate flag. A website linked to suspected gunman Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man, contained a racist manifesto and showed him in photos posing with the flag.
Opponents see its display as a painful reminder of the South’s pro-slavery past, while supporters see it as an honorable emblem of Southern heritage.
The Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a Pelham, North Carolina-based chapter that bills itself as “the largest Klan in America,” expects about 200 people to attend its demonstration, planned from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Calls to the chapter, one of numerous unconnected extremist groups in the United States that have adopted the Klan name, were not immediately returned.
The Klan, long known for its conical hats and cross burnings, traces its roots back to the years after the South’s defeat in the American Civil War of 1861-65. In general, modern chapters are stridently opposed to racial integration.
A voice message on the chapter’s phone line said its members are “standing up for our Confederate history and all the Southerners who fought and died against federal tyranny. Our government is trying to erase white culture and our heritage right out of the pages of our history books.”
A Jacksonville, Florida, group called Black Educators for Justice expects a crowd of about 300 for its rally, planned for noon to 4 p.m. The group is run by James Evans Muhammad, a former director of the New Black Panther Party.
The Black Educators group wants to highlight continuing racial inequality, which Muhammad says endures despite the Confederate flag’s removal.
“The flag coming down is not progress. It is an illusion of progress,” he told the State newspaper in Columbia.
Muhammad said his group would not interfere with the Klan rally during the hour the two groups occupy the north side of the Capitol building.
A Ku Klux Klan chapter and an African-American group plan overlapping demonstrations today Saturday 18,2015 outside the South Carolina State House, where state officials removed the Confederate battle flag last week.
Governor Nikki Haley, who called for the flag’s removal from the State House grounds after the killing of nine African-Americans in a Charleston church last month, urged South Carolinians to steer clear of the Klan rally.
“Our family hopes the people of South Carolina will join us in staying away from the disruptive, hateful spectacle members of the Ku Klux Klan hope to create over the weekend and instead focus on what brings us together,” Haley said in a statement posted to her Facebook page.
The Charleston shooting rekindled a controversy that has long surrounding the Confederate flag. A website linked to suspected gunman Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man, contained a racist manifesto and showed him in photos posing with the flag.
Opponents see its display as a painful reminder of the South’s pro-slavery past, while supporters see it as an honorable emblem of Southern heritage.
The Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a Pelham, North Carolina-based chapter that bills itself as “the largest Klan in America,” expects about 200 people to attend its demonstration, planned from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Calls to the chapter, one of numerous unconnected extremist groups in the United States that have adopted the Klan name, were not immediately returned.
The Klan, long known for its conical hats and cross burnings, traces its roots back to the years after the South’s defeat in the American Civil War of 1861-65. In general, modern chapters are stridently opposed to racial integration.
A voice message on the chapter’s phone line said its members are “standing up for our Confederate history and all the Southerners who fought and died against federal tyranny. Our government is trying to erase white culture and our heritage right out of the pages of our history books.”
A Jacksonville, Florida, group called Black Educators for Justice expects a crowd of about 300 for its rally, planned for noon to 4 p.m. The group is run by James Evans Muhammad, a former director of the New Black Panther Party.
The Black Educators group wants to highlight continuing racial inequality, which Muhammad says endures despite the Confederate flag’s removal.
“The flag coming down is not progress. It is an illusion of progress,” he told the State newspaper in Columbia.
Muhammad said his group would not interfere with the Klan rally during the hour the two groups occupy the north side of the Capitol building.
A Ku Klux Klan chapter and an African-American group plan overlapping demonstrations today Saturday 18,2015 outside the South Carolina State House, where state officials removed the Confederate battle flag last week.
Governor Nikki Haley, who called for the flag’s removal from the State House grounds after the killing of nine African-Americans in a Charleston church last month, urged South Carolinians to steer clear of the Klan rally.
“Our family hopes the people of South Carolina will join us in staying away from the disruptive, hateful spectacle members of the Ku Klux Klan hope to create over the weekend and instead focus on what brings us together,” Haley said in a statement posted to her Facebook page.
The Charleston shooting rekindled a controversy that has long surrounding the Confederate flag. A website linked to suspected gunman Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man, contained a racist manifesto and showed him in photos posing with the flag.
Opponents see its display as a painful reminder of the South’s pro-slavery past, while supporters see it as an honorable emblem of Southern heritage.
The Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a Pelham, North Carolina-based chapter that bills itself as “the largest Klan in America,” expects about 200 people to attend its demonstration, planned from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Calls to the chapter, one of numerous unconnected extremist groups in the United States that have adopted the Klan name, were not immediately returned.
The Klan, long known for its conical hats and cross burnings, traces its roots back to the years after the South’s defeat in the American Civil War of 1861-65. In general, modern chapters are stridently opposed to racial integration.
A voice message on the chapter’s phone line said its members are “standing up for our Confederate history and all the Southerners who fought and died against federal tyranny. Our government is trying to erase white culture and our heritage right out of the pages of our history books.”
A Jacksonville, Florida, group called Black Educators for Justice expects a crowd of about 300 for its rally, planned for noon to 4 p.m. The group is run by James Evans Muhammad, a former director of the New Black Panther Party.
The Black Educators group wants to highlight continuing racial inequality, which Muhammad says endures despite the Confederate flag’s removal.
“The flag coming down is not progress. It is an illusion of progress,” he told the State newspaper in Columbia.
Muhammad said his group would not interfere with the Klan rally during the hour the two groups occupy the north side of the Capitol building.
A Ku Klux Klan chapter and an African-American group plan overlapping demonstrations today Saturday 18,2015 outside the South Carolina State House, where state officials removed the Confederate battle flag last week.
Governor Nikki Haley, who called for the flag’s removal from the State House grounds after the killing of nine African-Americans in a Charleston church last month, urged South Carolinians to steer clear of the Klan rally.
“Our family hopes the people of South Carolina will join us in staying away from the disruptive, hateful spectacle members of the Ku Klux Klan hope to create over the weekend and instead focus on what brings us together,” Haley said in a statement posted to her Facebook page.
The Charleston shooting rekindled a controversy that has long surrounding the Confederate flag. A website linked to suspected gunman Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man, contained a racist manifesto and showed him in photos posing with the flag.
Opponents see its display as a painful reminder of the South’s pro-slavery past, while supporters see it as an honorable emblem of Southern heritage.
The Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a Pelham, North Carolina-based chapter that bills itself as “the largest Klan in America,” expects about 200 people to attend its demonstration, planned from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Calls to the chapter, one of numerous unconnected extremist groups in the United States that have adopted the Klan name, were not immediately returned.
The Klan, long known for its conical hats and cross burnings, traces its roots back to the years after the South’s defeat in the American Civil War of 1861-65. In general, modern chapters are stridently opposed to racial integration.
A voice message on the chapter’s phone line said its members are “standing up for our Confederate history and all the Southerners who fought and died against federal tyranny. Our government is trying to erase white culture and our heritage right out of the pages of our history books.”
A Jacksonville, Florida, group called Black Educators for Justice expects a crowd of about 300 for its rally, planned for noon to 4 p.m. The group is run by James Evans Muhammad, a former director of the New Black Panther Party.
The Black Educators group wants to highlight continuing racial inequality, which Muhammad says endures despite the Confederate flag’s removal.
“The flag coming down is not progress. It is an illusion of progress,” he told the State newspaper in Columbia.
Muhammad said his group would not interfere with the Klan rally during the hour the two groups occupy the north side of the Capitol building.
A Ku Klux Klan chapter and an African-American group plan overlapping demonstrations today Saturday 18,2015 outside the South Carolina State House, where state officials removed the Confederate battle flag last week.
Governor Nikki Haley, who called for the flag’s removal from the State House grounds after the killing of nine African-Americans in a Charleston church last month, urged South Carolinians to steer clear of the Klan rally.
“Our family hopes the people of South Carolina will join us in staying away from the disruptive, hateful spectacle members of the Ku Klux Klan hope to create over the weekend and instead focus on what brings us together,” Haley said in a statement posted to her Facebook page.
The Charleston shooting rekindled a controversy that has long surrounding the Confederate flag. A website linked to suspected gunman Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man, contained a racist manifesto and showed him in photos posing with the flag.
Opponents see its display as a painful reminder of the South’s pro-slavery past, while supporters see it as an honorable emblem of Southern heritage.
The Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a Pelham, North Carolina-based chapter that bills itself as “the largest Klan in America,” expects about 200 people to attend its demonstration, planned from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Calls to the chapter, one of numerous unconnected extremist groups in the United States that have adopted the Klan name, were not immediately returned.
The Klan, long known for its conical hats and cross burnings, traces its roots back to the years after the South’s defeat in the American Civil War of 1861-65. In general, modern chapters are stridently opposed to racial integration.
A voice message on the chapter’s phone line said its members are “standing up for our Confederate history and all the Southerners who fought and died against federal tyranny. Our government is trying to erase white culture and our heritage right out of the pages of our history books.”
A Jacksonville, Florida, group called Black Educators for Justice expects a crowd of about 300 for its rally, planned for noon to 4 p.m. The group is run by James Evans Muhammad, a former director of the New Black Panther Party.
The Black Educators group wants to highlight continuing racial inequality, which Muhammad says endures despite the Confederate flag’s removal.
“The flag coming down is not progress. It is an illusion of progress,” he told the State newspaper in Columbia.
Muhammad said his group would not interfere with the Klan rally during the hour the two groups occupy the north side of the Capitol building.
A Ku Klux Klan chapter and an African-American group plan overlapping demonstrations today Saturday 18,2015 outside the South Carolina State House, where state officials removed the Confederate battle flag last week.
Governor Nikki Haley, who called for the flag’s removal from the State House grounds after the killing of nine African-Americans in a Charleston church last month, urged South Carolinians to steer clear of the Klan rally.
“Our family hopes the people of South Carolina will join us in staying away from the disruptive, hateful spectacle members of the Ku Klux Klan hope to create over the weekend and instead focus on what brings us together,” Haley said in a statement posted to her Facebook page.
The Charleston shooting rekindled a controversy that has long surrounding the Confederate flag. A website linked to suspected gunman Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man, contained a racist manifesto and showed him in photos posing with the flag.
Opponents see its display as a painful reminder of the South’s pro-slavery past, while supporters see it as an honorable emblem of Southern heritage.
The Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a Pelham, North Carolina-based chapter that bills itself as “the largest Klan in America,” expects about 200 people to attend its demonstration, planned from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Calls to the chapter, one of numerous unconnected extremist groups in the United States that have adopted the Klan name, were not immediately returned.
The Klan, long known for its conical hats and cross burnings, traces its roots back to the years after the South’s defeat in the American Civil War of 1861-65. In general, modern chapters are stridently opposed to racial integration.
A voice message on the chapter’s phone line said its members are “standing up for our Confederate history and all the Southerners who fought and died against federal tyranny. Our government is trying to erase white culture and our heritage right out of the pages of our history books.”
A Jacksonville, Florida, group called Black Educators for Justice expects a crowd of about 300 for its rally, planned for noon to 4 p.m. The group is run by James Evans Muhammad, a former director of the New Black Panther Party.
The Black Educators group wants to highlight continuing racial inequality, which Muhammad says endures despite the Confederate flag’s removal.
“The flag coming down is not progress. It is an illusion of progress,” he told the State newspaper in Columbia.
Muhammad said his group would not interfere with the Klan rally during the hour the two groups occupy the north side of the Capitol building.
A Ku Klux Klan chapter and an African-American group plan overlapping demonstrations today Saturday 18,2015 outside the South Carolina State House, where state officials removed the Confederate battle flag last week.
Governor Nikki Haley, who called for the flag’s removal from the State House grounds after the killing of nine African-Americans in a Charleston church last month, urged South Carolinians to steer clear of the Klan rally.
“Our family hopes the people of South Carolina will join us in staying away from the disruptive, hateful spectacle members of the Ku Klux Klan hope to create over the weekend and instead focus on what brings us together,” Haley said in a statement posted to her Facebook page.
The Charleston shooting rekindled a controversy that has long surrounding the Confederate flag. A website linked to suspected gunman Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man, contained a racist manifesto and showed him in photos posing with the flag.
Opponents see its display as a painful reminder of the South’s pro-slavery past, while supporters see it as an honorable emblem of Southern heritage.
The Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, a Pelham, North Carolina-based chapter that bills itself as “the largest Klan in America,” expects about 200 people to attend its demonstration, planned from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Calls to the chapter, one of numerous unconnected extremist groups in the United States that have adopted the Klan name, were not immediately returned.
The Klan, long known for its conical hats and cross burnings, traces its roots back to the years after the South’s defeat in the American Civil War of 1861-65. In general, modern chapters are stridently opposed to racial integration.
A voice message on the chapter’s phone line said its members are “standing up for our Confederate history and all the Southerners who fought and died against federal tyranny. Our government is trying to erase white culture and our heritage right out of the pages of our history books.”
A Jacksonville, Florida, group called Black Educators for Justice expects a crowd of about 300 for its rally, planned for noon to 4 p.m. The group is run by James Evans Muhammad, a former director of the New Black Panther Party.
The Black Educators group wants to highlight continuing racial inequality, which Muhammad says endures despite the Confederate flag’s removal.
“The flag coming down is not progress. It is an illusion of progress,” he told the State newspaper in Columbia.
Muhammad said his group would not interfere with the Klan rally during the hour the two groups occupy the north side of the Capitol building.
