A letter sent by Dwight H. Sullivan, a lawyer with the Maryland affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, to Janet Owens, county executive of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, March 4, 1999:

Dear Ms. Owens,

During the previous Anne Arundel County Administration, the Invincible Empire Knights of the Ku Klux Klan applied to participate in the county's Adopt-A-Road Program. I understand that in response, the county suspended processing new applications to the program.

I have been informed by the Invincible Empire that, in order to avoid further controversy, it is willing to agree to a sign that does not include the words "Ku Klux Klan." Instead, the sign could read, "The Invincible Empire Realm of Maryland." I have also been informed that the organization does not plan for its members to wear robes while engaging in trash collection.

Would you please let me know whether the Invincible Empire will be allowed to participate?

Sincerely,
Dwight H. Sullivan

†