Klu Klux Klan distributes fliers in black South Carolina neighbourhood

Residents have responded with their own poster and a message of inclusion

The two posters that appeared in a North Charleston neighbourhood

When the Klu Klux Klan distributed fliers in a predominantly black neighbourhood, residents reponded in a way that the KK might not have been expected – by producing their own posters showing a white and black hand clasped in a handshake.

What made the response all the more telling was that the incident took place in the town of North Charleston, just a few miles from where nine members of a black church were shot dead last month.

“You never know what can happen, especially with it coming into our neighborhood,” resident Cherri Delesline told the Post and Courier newspaper. “What affects one, affects all.”

The flier left by a group claiming to be the Ku Klux Klan

The fliers that showed up in Ms Delesline’s neighbourhood were apparently left by the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan showed up last week in a community in North Charleston.

The flier reads: “Neighbourhood Watch. You can sleep tonight knowing the Klan is awake.” It included a sketch of a hooded Klansman and a finger pointed toward the reader, the Associated Press said.

By contrast, Ms Delesline’s flier shows a white and black hand clasped in a handshake.

The Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, one of several groups that make use of the klan name, did not immediately respond to inquiries.

A message on the the organisation’s answering phone says: “Welcome to the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. We are unapologetically committed to the right and values of the white race.”

Neighbourhood association president Jesse Williams said the woman who brought him the flier said she found did not see who placed it on her car.

The fliers appeared less than three weeks after nine people were shot to death at a historic black church in nearby Charleston. Dylann Roof, a 21-year-old white man has been charged with nine counts of murder.

Earlier this year, North Charleston was also the centre of anger and tension after the shooting death of Walter Scott, who was shot and killed as he ran from police officer Michael Slager. Mr Slager has been charged with murder.