03-29-07 Millville, New Jersey - Joseph V. Bednarsky Jr., resigns as leader of the Confederate Knights, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and is disbanding the organization. "I have decided that after many years of fighting for a cause that will never go anywhere, that it is best not only for myself but my family that I resign my office as Imperial Wizard affective immediately" said Bednarsky.
"If you are thinking of joining a group like the Ku Klux Klan or one like it, please think about it before doing so. Don't make the same mistake that I made and waste half your life on a cause that is going nowhere and is based on lies" said Bednarsky.
My Apology
I would first like to publicly apologize for everything that I ever said or did to anyone that was in a hateful matter. The list is long but I would like to start with the citizens of Millville, New Jersey, for many years I have said and did some hateful things to many of them and hope they will find it in their hearts to forgive me someday. I would also like to apologize to the citizens of Hammonton, New Jersey and Hazleton, Pennsylvania for wanting to bring the Ku Klux Klan to their towns and hope that not only the citizens forgive me but also the city officials as well.
I acknowledge that the Ku Klux Klan is a hate group and express deep regret for ever joining the Ku Klux Klan back in 1986. I have not only lied to myself but others as well in stating that it was not about hate when in fact it was. I understand that my future actions will show that I am truly sorry for my past actions. I also understand that this is not something that will just change overnight and will take time to overcome the hate that lives inside me, but I am sure that with God's help I will over come it.
Joseph V. Bednarsky Jr.
Local Ku Klux Klan head steps down from organization
MILLVILLE -- The head of the Confederate Knight, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan has quit the locally based group.
Imperial Wizard Joseph V. Bednarsky Jr. resigned effective midnight Thursday.
Bednarsky posted the decision on The Daily Journal Web site forum, saying it was the best thing for himself and his family.
He also advised others not to "waste half your life on a cause that is going nowhere."
Bednarsky, 38, joined a Klan organization in 1986 and formed his group in 1992.
He said infighting and a lack of progress prompted his decision.
Contacted by phone, Bednarsky said he is writing a book now. "Life Behind The Mask" is to be out in September 2008.
Originally published March 31, 2007
"Bill" William E. Trask Jr., Imperial Klaliff Not Happy With Bednarsky Disbanding Klan Organization
03-31-07 - I received an email from "Bill" William E. Trask Jr., Imperial Klaliff stating that he was not happy about me disbanding the Confederate Knights, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. In his email he states that he was ok with me resigning but was unhappy about me not allowing the organization to continue. He also states that under the constitution of the organization that it takes a vote of the members to desband the orgainzation and I say that under Article 10, section 1 & 5 that I have the power to do what I did before resigning my office as Imperial Wizard.
Article 10
Section 1. Being the Supreme Chief Executive of this Order, the Imperial Wizard shall have and hold supreme authority and power within this Constitution in all administrative matters, and to act in any and all matters not prescribed in this Constitution...
Section 5. He shall have supreme supervision over all departments of this Order.
Now there is nothing in the Constitution about disbanding the organization, so myself along with supporting Imperial Board members voted on the matter and your vote would not have made a difference Bill.
Below is a part from Bill's email to me
Thanks Joe,
I was ok with your resigning and know the possition it put you in. But I thought after our conversation yesterday that you were going to leave it as a resignation and allow the Confederate Knights to continue. Under the constitution of the organization it takes a vote of the whole membership (wrong, it take the vote of the Imperial Board) to disband the Klan! now you have become Anti-Klan Bigot of the century. Resigning is one thing but telling others that the Klan is so wrong, that's being a total hippocrite! I hope you sleep well at night.
Bill Trask
A.K.I.A. (A Klansman I Am) and damn proud of it!!!
I am sure many of the members will take Bill's side, but
I have the support of the Imperial Board and that is all I needed to
disband the orgainzation before I resigned my office as Imperial Wizard.
No rally in Hazleton, says ex-Klan head
Just a note for Sherry, I fixed two things in your story the name of the group was "Confederate Knights, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" and "The Confederate Knights was reopeed in Millville, N.J., in September 2006, but was founded back the the early 1990's"
Also Barry Morrison from the Anti-Defamation League of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware stated my Mother was a member of the Klan and that is NOT true, low blow Barry! I removed it, if you going to state facts Berry make sure you get them right, said Bednarsky
Joe Bednarsky says he’s quit as leader, disbanded
group. It’s possible another Klan group could go to city.
SHERRY LONG slong@timesleader.com
04-01-07 - HAZLETON – The Ku Klux Klan won’t be holding a rally in Hazleton as originally believed. At least not the Confederate Knights, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan based in New Jersey.
Claiming he’s done with the hate movement, Joe Bednarsky resigned as the organization’s imperial wizard effective midnight Thursday, saying he was tired of fighting for a dying cause.
It is possible, but unknown at this time if another Klan chapter might protest in Hazleton, but Bednarsky said the Confederate Knights would not be present because upon his resignation he also disbanded the organization. The Confederate Knights was reopened in Millville, N.J., in September 2006, but was founded back the the early 1990's
While the former Klan leader appeared to have turned over a new leaf trying to leave behind his hateful past, others familiar with groups such as these had their doubts.
“We will wait and see if he is sincere,” said Barry Morrison, regional director of the DelaAnti-Defamation League of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware.
“Actions speak louder than words.”
Bednarsky’s group only had a handful of followers, Morrison said.
Floyd Cochran knows people can change. He did. In July 1992, he left an Aryan Nation in Idaho as the propaganda director after he learned his son would be killed because of a birth defect – a cleft palate.
Since then he has toured the country and commonwealth talking to church groups, school children and college students to warn them about the dangers of hate groups.
As host of a weekly talk show at 9 p.m. Thursdays over the Internet, Cochran dispels myths about racism.
The former New Jersey Klan leader will be the featured guest next Thursday.
Bednarsky has said he would like to join forces with Cochran to help other people see the truth behind hate groups.
Cochran warned people must be leery of people saying they have turned against hate.
Bednarsky must first prove himself by apologizing to the city of Hazleton, Cochran said. If he is not willing to do that, Cochran said, then Bednarsky is not welcome on his team.
“I’m not going to buy into yesterday I hated and now I love,” he said.
“It’s not that easy.”
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
By JAIME MARINE
Staff Writer
MILLVILLE -- Local Ku Klux Klan leader Joseph V. Bednarsky Jr. has resigned
as Imperial Wizard of the Confederate Knights, Knights of the KKK, and
is subsequently disbanding the organization.
"I have decided that after many years of fighting for a cause that will never go anywhere, that it is best not only for myself, but my family that I resign my office as Imperial Wizard effective immediately," he said, adding his family's safety and Klan infighting also played a part in his decision.
"If you are thinking of joining a group like the Ku Klux Klan or
one like it, please think about it before doing so,'' he said. "Don't
make the same mistake that I made and waste half your life on a cause
that is going nowhere."
Bednarsky -- noting all events scheduled by the group are now canceled, including ones in Hammonton and Hazelton, Pa. -- said Monday he joined the Klan in 1986, when he was 18 years old.
He added the decision to resign and dissolve the group became official March 29.
"I acknowledge that the Ku Klux Klan is a hate group and express deep regret for ever joining," Bednarsky said, adding his family has been threatened, as well as himself. "I have not only lied to myself, but others as well, in stating that it was not about hate when in fact it was."
Future actions, he said, will hopefully show how sorry he is for past ones.
"I believe things happen for a reason," Bednarsky said, adding he hopes to move past this and educate others on hate groups. "I understand that this is not something that will just change overnight and will take time to overcome, but I hope with the help of people like Floyd Cochran from Eye on Hate I will overcome the hate that lives inside me."
According to the Eye on Hate Web site, in 1992, Cochran renounced his racist beliefs, and in 1993 started speaking out against the hatred he once believed and taught. He now conducts workshops and public forums on the topic.
On April 13, Bednarsky will appear in Deerfield Municipal Court on charges of disorderly conduct stemming from an incident at the Deerfield Township Harvest Festival on Oct. 8, 2006.
Police reports said that Bednarsky and his co-defendant, Robert Barker, were wearing T-shirts bearing the KKK insignia and distributing literature about the group at the festival.
The reports said the men were arrested because several people attending the festival were annoyed and offended by the material being distributed, and a dangerous situation was developing.
Bednarsky said he is preparing a statement that will ask for forgiveness.
"I didn't go there with the intention to intimidate or cause alarm," he said, adding he feels their arrests were wrong.
As for future plans, Bednarsky said he will be writing a book called, "Life Behind the Mask," due out in 2008, and appearing on an Eye on Hate radio show Thursday.
Man Said He Quit KKK, Disbanded Local Chapter
April 04, 2007
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N.J. -- Joe Bednarsky said he joined the Ku Klux Klan when he was 18, and spent the next 20 years recruiting others to join the white supremacist organization.
A few days ago, however, he said he resigned as imperial wizard of the Millville, N.J. chapter and disbanded the local organization.
“The Klan is a dangerous organization,” Bednarsky said.
He said he now wants to warn youth about those dangers.
“I've lived a very isolated life as a Klansman,” Bednarsky said. “I’ve been convicted of felonies because of it. I lost my better half and didn’t get to see my children. It has cost me a lot.”
Bednarsky said although he disbanded the local group, it would take time for him to change his thinking.
“You don't go to bed one night being a white supremacist and wake up the next morning and everything is fine,” he said. “It's something I have to work on as a person. I have to change the way I think.”
By BEN MERITT
Staff Writer
bmeritt@thehammontonnews.com
HAMMONTON -- The leader of an area chapter of the Ku Klux Klan has canceled
a planned May 12 demonstration and is calling for the dissolution of
the chapter.
Joseph V. Bednarsky Jr. on Friday acknowledged the Ku Klux Klan is a hate group and asked for forgiveness from residents and town officials.
"It's going nowhere," Bednarsky said. "I just don't want to do it anymore."
Bednarsky said he joined the KKK back in 1986, when he was just 18 years old. He formed his own group, Confederate Knights, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in 1992.
"I express deep regret for ever joining," Bednarsky said. "I have not only lied to myself but others as well in stating that it was not about hate when in fact it was."
Bednarsky's announcement comes just days after he appeared before the Town Council seeking an update on its permit application for the demonstration, which was slated for outside the Post Office.
At that meeting, Bednarsky also sought unsuccessfully to receive an apology from Councilman Rock Colasurdo. Published reports last year stated Colasurdo believed the KKK was behind asbestos found underneath the original Town Hall site.
Shortly thereafter, Bednarsky began the demonstration planning. The event would have at least five robed and hooded Klansmen distributing literature on the KKK and asbestos.
Bednarsky said Monday he expected to mail a letter to Town Solicitor Brian Howell this week notifying the town of the cancellation.
Mayor John DiDonato said Monday it was good to put the episode to rest.
"I believe that everyone is happy that this is behind us. The sun can now shine on the town's positives," DiDonato said.
Reached Tuesday, Colasurdo echoed the mayor's views.
"Something happened to (Bednarsky's) mind and the Lord made him see the light," Colasurdo said. "I can't put it any nicer than that. We're all just happy it's over."
Howell said last week the group would have been treated no differently than any other organization seeking such a permit. Officials earlier stated that Bednarsky's group would need to provide names, addresses and Social Security numbers of the members participating.
The Klan held a demonstration this year in Millville. The event was not violent but did result in one arrest of an anti-Klan group member who allegedly used profanity.
On Sunday, Bednarsky offered his apologies.
"I would first like to publicly apologize for everything that I ever said or did to anyone that was in a hateful manner. The list is long but I would like to start with the citizens of Millville for the many years I have said and did some hateful things to many of them and hope they will find in their hearts to forgive me someday," Bednarsky said in a statement. "I would also like to apologize to the citizens of Hammonton and Hazleton for wanting to bring the Ku Klux Klan to their town and hope that not only the citizens forgive me but also the city officials as well."
Bednarsky feels his future actions will show how sorry he is for his past actions.
"I also understand that this is not something that will just change overnight and will take time to overcome," he said.
Bednarsky said he is currently working on a book on his experiences as a Klansman and now an ex-Klansman entitled "Life Behind the Mask." He said the book is due to be released in September 2008.
Originally published April 4, 2007
Town solicitor Brian Howell read a letter of apology from Joseph V. Bednarsky Jr.
Hammontion, New Jersey 04-23-07 - Town solicitor Brian Howell read a letter of apology from Joseph V. Bednarsky Jr., formerly of the Confederate Knights, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan into the official record. Bednarsky had once said he was planning to have a rally in the town, but said those plans have been canceled and his group has been disbanded. “This is one of many letters I am writing before I resign my office as Imperial Wizard affective at midnight. I am writing to inform you that due to my resignation and the disbanding of the Confederate Knights, Knights of the Ku Klux Klan that we will be withdrawing our request and application to hold a Klan demonstration on May 12, 2007 in Hammonton, New Jersey. “I would also like to take this time to apologize to the citizens of Hammonton, New Jersey for ever wanting to bring the Ku Klux Klan to their town and hope that not only the citizens forgive me but also the city officials as well,” Bednarsky wrote. Colasurdo commented on the apology by Bednarsky to the town and town officials. “I would like to add to that. I certainly do appreciate the letter, and I believe God reached down and touched Joseph. And I think from now on his life will be a lot different and he will be a great American. And I thank him for that letter,” Colasurdo said.
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