Jessica Harrison had never seen anything like it.

Harrison joined scores of others in amazement Thursday afternoon after robed Klansmen of the Church of the National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan suddenly appeared on the Edgefield town square passing out flyers for a rally the group has planned for the location on this Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“I was shocked,” Harrison, who is African-American, said. “I got a phone call and they (the Ku Klux Klan) was in town and went to the door (of the Edgefield County Public Library) and they were there. I’d never even seen (a Klan member) before). I wanted to go over and say something, but I held it in. I asked the police about it and I understand that they can (be in public).”

Harrison said she received some confusing messages from members.

“They just said they weren’t racist and that some of them have mixed babies,” she said. “That shocked me with them being up there (handing out flyers) with the burning cross.”

Edgefield Police Chief Ronnie Carter said the group had informed him of their intentions to be on the square on Thursday and of the planned rally on Saturday. A uniformed officer was present, but no disturbance was reported. Some business owners did call Town Hall to express their displeasure with the presence of the group.

A man who identified himself as the Grand Dragon of the South Carolina Chapter of the Church of the National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan quickly dispersed his group and had them remove their robes and flags after a crowd of passerby quickly gathered.

He said that while he was from South Carolina, the other members had traveled to the area from Tennessee.

Despite perceptions, Harrison said she may attend the rally this Saturday, which falls on the same day as the popular Ridge Peach Festival in Trenton.

I might be up here (Saturday),” she said. “I really might be, just to see what happens.”