Durango Anti-Racist Action

This image shows a Ku Klux Klan cross burning on Smelter Mountain. The organization often burned crosses on, or around, religious holidays. The date of this Pennington Studio image is likely April 22, 1925, one hundred years ago today.

A wave of prejudice and intolerance rose out of the ashes of World War I. The K*K, which had been dormant since the 1870s, came to life again, marching into Colorado in 1921. Within three years, the Klan became a formidable political force in Colorado, its candidates winning state and local races, including the U.S. Senate and governors’ races.

By 1924, the K*K had gained a stronghold in southwest Colorado, including active chapters, or Klaverns, in Bayfield and Durango. The Durango chapter even published its own newspaper, The Durango Klansman.

While the Klan denied political views, their stated goals revealed that it was strongly Protestant and anti-Catholic; it supported Prohibition and opposed bootlegging (an activity many associated with Catholics); it believed that native-born white Americans were the “true” Americans, and it opposed immigration and foreign-born residents.

Since La Plata County had a very limited African American population, the Durango Klan’s venom was largely directed at Hispanics, most of whom also happened to be Catholics. Interestingly, there is little evidence that the local Klan groups targeted Native Americans.

To punctuate its efforts at intimidation, Durango Klan members burned crosses on Smelter Mountain. Occasionally crosses were also burned at Greenmount Cemetery and near the train depot.

The Klan in Colorado faded almost as quickly as it arose, its leader leaving the organization under accusations of tax fraud. Having hit its high-water mark in 1924-25, the Colorado Klan organization shattered shortly thereafter. Ultimately, factionalism and jealousy within the organization, and public and press opposition from without spelled the end of the Klan in Colorado and locally.

PHOTO CREDIT: Image from the Animas Museum Photo Archives 03.58.43

Excerpted from “Invisible Empire - The Ku Klux Klan in La Plata County” by Robert McDaniel originally published in History La Plata. Learn more at https://www.animasmuseum.org/pdf/HLP2023.pdf.

🚨 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮! 🚨 UPDATE! Event successfully cancelled due to public pressure! They're seeking another venue, so stay tuned for updates!

Heads up, Colorado Springs compxs. Fascist gala incoming! (Forgive us if you're already well aware, this is the first we're hearing of it.) ///

From a comrade:

"Please call Antlers by Wyndham 719.257.2800 and voice your concern that they are publicly endorsing white supremacy. If you're in the area please show up for the protest that will be there at the same time. Leave reviews on Google, Yelp and make sure you visit their page and leave a comment on their page regarding the matter. Tag major news outlets and get national attention on them. Thank you! Help us to fight back! Demand they cancel the event and demand a public apology to our diverse communities of Colorado!"

¡𝕹𝖔 𝕻𝖆𝖘𝖆𝖗𝖆𝖓!

𝕂𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 ℂ𝕚𝕥𝕪 ℂ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕟 🗡🗡🗡 𝕯𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖔𝖞 𝕱𝖆𝖘𝖈𝖎𝖘𝖒

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