Today, Washington DC protesters pulled down and burned the Statue of Albert Pike, standing for over a Century in front of the Treasury Department.
Martha and I worked with Civil Rights Leaders Rev. James Bevel, Amelia Boynton Robinson, and DC leaders of the Nation of Islam to remove that statue back in the 90's. We raised the money to print and distribute hundreds of thousands of pamphlets on the history of Pike. You will see news stories today on how he was a Freemason and Confederate supporter. He was waaaayyyy more than that. He was the Leader of the Scottish Rite of Freemasons, Southern Jurisdiction, which both before and during the Civil War, was the Umbrella organization for the Terrorist group, "Knights of the Golden Circle", a paramilitary organization that practiced terrorism and assassination. They were the group which spawned the Ku Klux Klan after the War. They were deeply involved in the plot to kidnap or kill Abraham Lincoln.
Pike, a Confederate General who presided over Massacres, was a Founder of the post War KKK, and recruited members under the auspices of heading the Scottish Rite. One of the things I remember inscribed on his Statue, was "Poet". Well, his most famous Poem was the one which became the Anthem for the KKK, sung during the Midnight Rides.
Martha and I were at rallies in front of that Statue. One of my friends used rappelling equipment to climb the Statue, and put a KKK White Hood and Robe over it, again, back in the 90's. Rev Bevel in particular was a frequent organizer of Demos there, and it was something we worked on together and talked about when he stayed over with us. Our friend, Author Anton Chaitkin did the research and wrote the pamphlet we printed.
Today, Martha and I are very content and happy to see this atrocity torn down. It's a wonderful anniversary gift. And whatever part of eternity Rev Bevel resides in right now, his immortal soul is at peace knowing his job was finished for him.
