KLAN INDUCTEES, PROTESTERS CLASH OUTSIDE AUBURN HALL
by Robert Saiz Holguin (Tacoma News Tribune, June 16 1996)

What was supposed to be a secret ceremony in Auburn to induct neo-Nazi
skinheads into the Ku Klux Klan briefly turned violent Saturday when
boisterous protesters clashed with participants.

About 30 demonstrators waving anti-Nazi placards gathered outside the
American Legion Hall Post 78, where an estimated 10 to 15 skinheads were
conducting their ceremony.

"We're not going to stand for this kind of hatred in our community,"
shouted Guerry Hoddersen, a member of the United Front Against Fascism who
helped organize the impromptu demonstration.

"We're here to show them that they can't spread their message in our back
yards."

No arrests were made after a short scuffle between aggressive protesters
and George Kelley, a self-procalimed skinhead, who swatted and shoved the
crowd that swarmed around him with their placards.

Kelley grabbed a camera from one of the demonstrators and smashed it
against a wall. Two other skinheads came to his aid, taking swings at
demonstrators, and pulled Kelley back inside.

"I was sucker punched," Kelley said. "I was trying to defend myself."
Word of the ceremony got out Saturday morning after it was obtained by the
FBI, which alerted selected law enforcement officials in Western Washington.
Auburn police said it wasn't likely that any charges would be filed in the
incident.

Bill Albers, who called himself the imperial wizard  of the American
Knights of the Klan, spoke to the young attendees about the importance of
"white unity."

"This was supposed to be a private function. We didn't want any of this,"
said Albers, of Modesto, Calif."Everybody's got equal rights, freedom of
speech and freedom of religion. But when we try to hold something we get
this kind of garbage out there in the street. You don't see the Klan going
out and causing problems."

"As far as I'm concerned, we didn't want anyone to know about this," Albers
later told an Auburn police officer.

The American Legion wasn't aware that it was renting the building to the
Klan, according to Cliff Manning, who is in charge of the legion's hall
bookings.

A local woman who arranged the rental told Manning that a group was going
to talk about taxes.

"We'll do our darndest to see it doesn't happen again."

The World War II veteran acknowledged that he "probably should've asked a
few more questions." Manning said the hall is usually used for wedding
receptions or other family functions.

The skinheads, who were asked for a $5 donation at the door, were fed a
lunch of spaghetti and orange juice. Albers claimed that 40 people had
participated in the induction ceremony, but fewer than 20 were visible
inside the hall.

A young skinhead who would not identify himself other than to say he was a
member of a band called PunishmentSect, said he was interested in finding
out what the Klan had to say.

"We're just tired of the lies in the media," said the young skinhead, who
covered his face with a bandana printed with the Confederate flag. "I
believe in tearing down the government and starting a new government under
Yahweh."

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