Racist flyers promoting membership in the Ku Klux Klan were found in yards in Cleveland earlier this week. They appear to be related to pieces of literature distributed across the United States.

Residents of Quimby Avenue, in the Hough neighborhood, found KKK flyers in their yards and driveways, Council Member Stephanie Howse-Jones said. A pile of flyers was found in an open field. 

No flyers were found in mailboxes or on residents’ doors, according to Howse-Jones. It appeared the papers may have been tossed out of a vehicle.

“The flyer is a recruitment letter. This is not a neighborhood where that is going to work,” Howse-Jones said. “If this is a plan to cause division or turmoil in our proud Hough neighborhood, it is not going to work.”

Third District police officers went door to door, gathering information from residents and picking up flyers, Howse-Jones said.

The incident remains under investigation, police said. They encourage anyone with information to come forward, including those who may have video footage from that day.

“Should we identify suspects of any criminal activity related to this matter, we will undoubtedly pursue criminal charges,” Sgt. Wilfredo “Freddy” Diaz said.

Said Howse-Jones: “We have a thriving community. On Quimby, everyone knows each other, supports each other, looks out for one another.”

“This is a positive, resilient, vibrant neighborhood,” she added.

Similar flyers found in Akron

Our sister newsroom, Signal Akron, talked with a couple who found a Ku Klux flyer on their door as the husband left for work on Monday morning.

According to Akron Mayor Shammas Malik’s office, a flyer with a graphic message — “Arm yourselves WHITE people!!” — and contact information for a Kentucky-based KKK group was found near the intersection of Romig Road and Fawler Avenue.

Signal Akron confirmed with the Akron Police Department that it was the same literature that was found in March in Chillicothe in southern Ohio.

Flyers from the Maysville-based group have also been discovered at homes throughout Kentucky, spreading to East Nashville, Tennessee, Columbia, Tennessee, as well as Carmel, Indiana.