Friday, August 13, 1999
Mayor goes back on Klan rally deal
County won't provide robe-changing area
BY AMY BETH GRAVES
The Associated Press
CLEVELAND — Mayor Michael R. White angered the city's police union Thursday by trying to dissolve an agreement over where Ku Klux Klan members can change into their robes before a rally.
“They agreed to it, and they're stuck,” said Avery Friedman, an attorney for the 1,700-member Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association (CPPA).
The union originally had asked a federal judge to block the Aug. 21 rally, saying it would be too hard to provide security for the events that day, which include the Cleveland Browns first home football game, a convention for black families and a women's professional basketball game.
After three days of negotiations, the union agreed to give up its fight if the Klansmen changed in the lobby of the Justice Center and not in the underground police parking garage.
That deal appeared to unravel Thursday when the city asked U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughan to dissolve the agreement because of a dispute with Cuyahoga County officials over use of the Justice Center.
City officials now want Judge Gaughan to approve their original plan of having the Klansmen change in the police parking garage.
That upset union members, who filed their own court motion Thursday that claimed the city was legally obligated to honor the settlement.
“It's clear the mayor's word is not his bond,” said Pat D'Angelo, an attorney for the police union. “It's up to a judge now to decide this motion, which we think is frivolous.”
But the mayor's attorney, Bob Duvin, disagreed and said the city couldn't abide by the agreement because county officials refused to cooperate. County officials said they have jurisdiction over the Justice Center, which is closed on weekends, and won't open it up for the Klan.
“We filed a motion in federal court that says all those negotiations are erased by the behavior of the county officials,” Mr. Duvin said. “We don't want to get locked into a dispute over keys even though we think the county is legally wrong.”
Mr. Duvin said he anticipated a quick response from the judge.
“We've already wasted time with the settlement,” he said. “Things are going to happen very quickly. Either we'll win or lose quickly.”
Mr. White said Thursday that providing a place for the group to change into their robes was necessary. He said protesters have attacked Klansmen at their cars in other cities and rioting lasted for hours.
“I don't believe that by being cautious we are coddling the Klan,” said Mr. White.
The mayor, who is black, has been criticized on the issue by the National Association for the Advancement of colored People, as well as the police union.
CPPA President Robert Beck said Mr. White was being insensitive to police officers by having the Klan prepare for their rally near police headquarters.
He also said officers did not have enough time to train for the rally. Classroom training starts Monday.
“Five days will never be enough to train 600 police officers for a Klan rally,” he said. “This city is not ready for this type of Klan rally.”
Meanwhile, Mr. White announced that no street parking will be allowed in the heart of the city's downtown starting early Saturday. Several streets adjacent to the rally site also will be closed. A 6-foot fence will be set up around a four-block area.
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