I really enjoy hearing about current events that conjure up previous such events with which I have some familiarity.

Some Ku Klux Klan members sought to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville, Va. Then they were met by a boisterous and rowdy counterprotest from those who wanted to drown out the KKK’s point of view.

I find it so very interesting that the KKK would protest this statue removal. It’s also ironic, given the view expressed by some Americans that honoring Gen. Lee only honors “tradition” and “Southern heritage.” The irony is that the Klan would mount the protest. The Ku Klux (bleeping) Klan! The racist hate group known for its extreme violence over many years against African-Americans and non-Christian minorities.

Heritage? History? Give me a break.

But … back to my point.

The counterprotest reminds me of something that occurred right here in Amarillo, Texas, in 2006. The Klan wanted to protest federal housing policy, so they decided to come to Amarillo. City officials granted the Klan a permit to demonstrate at City Hall. Just as the KKK started to blather its nonsense, in walked a horde of counterprotesters led by none other than the late Stanley Marsh 3.

Marsh — who was wearing his familiar white suit that looked as though it was borrowed from Col. Sanders — was banging some cymbals, if memory serves, and he was walking in front of a lengthy line of horn-blaring, drum-pounding, shouting protesters who — just like those in Charlottesville — sought to outshout the Klansmen.

I get that the KKK is entitled to free speech under the First Amendment’s guarantee of that particular civil liberty. So, too, are those who wanted them shouted down.

Here’s how the Washington Post reported it.

They did it in Charlottesville, just as they did in Amarillo.

I’m on the side of the counterprotesters.