Shocking images have emerged showing a group of adults dressed as the Ku Klux Klan at a Halloween dance at the fire hall in Nova Scotia, Canada.
At least four people wore white robes and pointed hoods associated with the hate group at a Halloween event at the North Sydney Fire Club on Saturday.
One of the people dressed as KKK also held a large cross.
North Sydney Fire Chief Lloyd MacIntosh said “a mistake was made” and added that the four individuals should not have been allowed into the party.
MacIntosh claimed that volunteers working the door let the four people in and allowed them to stay after they confiscated the cross and told the men to remove their hoods.
Shocking footage has emerged showing a group of adults dressed as the Ku Klux Klan at a fire hall Halloween dance in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Images of the KKK costumes have outraged the community, with many expressing anger that the four people were allowed to enter and stay at the dance.
Local Jason MacLean, who is black, tells the CBC The group’s actions were hurtful and possibly hateful.
“This is where people should not shy away: it was a racist act,” he added.
Tia Upshaw, executive director and founder of Canada’s Black Women in Excellence, told Global News she was disgusted by the images.
‘We’re in 2024 and this is what we’re still doing? Is this what we’re still fighting against?’ she said.
“Ku Klux Klan, KKK, no matter what rock they come from, everyone knows what they represent, who they were and what that represents to black individuals,” Upshaw added.
North Sydney Fire Chief Lloyd MacIntosh said “a mistake was made” and added that the four individuals should not have been allowed into the party.
Queentrel Provo, executive director of an organization called Stop the Violence, said it was “just another example of racism in Nova Scotia.”
He added: “The fact that this was at an event and no one kicked these people out, felt uncomfortable or spoke up until after the fact says it all.”
The North Sydney Fire Club has clarified that it is not associated with the four individuals, who have not been identified.
‘We made a mistake!’ the group said. ‘We apologize to each and every one of our community who felt offended or hurt by our inaction.
‘These four individuals are in no way associated with our organization. We promise to do better in the future.”
Cape Breton Deputy Fire Chief Wade Gouthro, who was not at the event, also apologized for the incident in a Facebook post published Sunday.
“I can tell you this: the members of North Sydney and I are very sorry from the bottom of our hearts and we ask for your forgiveness,” he wrote.
MacIntosh claimed that volunteers working the door let the four people in and allowed them to stay after they confiscated the cross and told the men to remove their hoods.
‘I assure you that today our hearts all hurt for having let down a community that we worked so hard to improve and protect.
‘We would certainly never intentionally hurt or insult anyone, regardless of their race, color, orientation or religion. We spend all our time trying to do the right thing for the community and we are here to do everything we can for everyone.’
‘When we have Halloween dances, you never know what you’re going to see walk through the door. Most of the time we think, “Oh, it’s a costume,” without really thinking about the bigger picture or the past it represents, Chief Gouthro added.
Cape Breton Regional Police have said they are investigating the incident.