Organization designated hate group plans holiday party in Altoona
ALTOONA, Pa. (WJAC) -- The group Keystone United has circulated a flier online detailing its upcoming yule party. The Southern Poverty Law Center designated Keystone United a hate group, saying they formed in 2001 as the Keystone State Skinheads and have since changed their name.
Blair County NAACP President Donald Witherspoon said he was hoping this type of gathering was a thing of the past.
“I experienced some racial discrimination in the '60s and the '70s and when I went to the military, I also experience some stuff,” Witherspoon said. “I thought we had it behind us.”
The flier shared to Facebook shows Keystone United's yule party is set to take place this Saturday in Altoona.
A contact email is listed for more information.
6 News contacted the group for comment via Facebook and email but did not receive a response.
Witherspoon said historically, this is nothing new.
“They’ve been partying for 200 years,” he said. “The party they are going to have this weekend is not surprising.”
Witherspoon said he believes the resurgence of these groups is connected to the current political climate.
“The country is pretty well divided and I think it has something to do with race,” he said.
Witherspoon said he doesn't think prejudice will ever cease to exist.
“I think it’s always going to be with us, we just need to [reduce] the number of people that are involved in it,” he said. “I think it has gotten better but we always look for ways to make it better for everybody.”
He has a simple message for the community and the nation.
“Don’t let a handful of people make it worse for our country,” Witherspoon said.
Sgt. Matthew Plummer, from the Altoona Police, said his department and the state police are aware of this weekend's party.
He said they do not believe there is a threat to the public.
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