Images of a group of individuals dressed as Ku Klux Klan members at a firefighter’s Halloween dance in Nova Scotia, Canada have ignited outrage among the community. The fire hall dance at North Sydney Firefighters Club on Saturday saw at least four attendees donning white robes and pointed hoods synonymous with the race hate group.
One individual also arrived brandishing a large cross. Despite their offensive attire, the four were permitted entry by volunteers at the door, but were asked to remove their hoods and the cross was confiscated, according to North Sydney Fire Chief Lloyd MacIntosh.
(Image: Facebook)
The images, shared on social media, sparked widespread condemnation, with many questioning why the individuals weren’t asked to leave upon arrival in their racist costumes. “This is where people need to not shy away – it was a racist act,” local resident Jason MacLean, who is black, told CBC news.
Quentrel Provo, CEO of an organisation called Stop the Violence, labelled it another instance of racism in Nova Scotia. “The fact that this was at an event and no one kicked these individuals out, felt uncomfortable or spoke up until after the fact speaks volumes,’ he added.
Tia Upshaw, CEO and founder of Canada’s Black Women in Excellence, expressed her disgust to Global News. “This is 2024 and this is what we’re still doing? This is what we’re still fighting?
“Ku Klux Klan, KKK, I don’t care what rock you’ve come from under, everybody knows what they stand for, who they were and what that represents for Black individuals,” Upshaw added.
Meanwhile, the North Sydney Firefighters Club issued an apology for their lack of action and stated they were “in no way, shape or form” associated with the unidentified individuals, as reported by the Mail.
(Image: Sygma via Getty Images)
In a remorseful Facebook post, Cape Breton deputy fire chief Wade Gouthro, who was not present at the event, expressed his regret: “I can tell you this, the members of North Sydney and myself are very sorry from the bottom of our hearts and we ask for your forgiveness. I will assure you that we are all hurting in our hearts today that we have disappointed a community that we work so hard to make better and protect.
He said: “I can tell you this, the members of North Sydney and myself are very sorry from the bottom of our hearts and we ask for your forgiveness. I will assure you that we are all hurting in our hearts today that we have disappointed a community that we work so hard to make better and protect.
“We would certainly never intentionally hurt or insult anyone regardless of race, colour, orientation or religion. We spend all of our time trying to do right by the community and are here to do all we can for anyone. When we have Halloween dances you never know what you are going to see come through the door.
“Most times we think, ‘Ah, it is a costume,’ without really thinking of the big picture or the past it represents,” he added. The local police force, Cape Breton Regional Police, has confirmed they are investigating the incident.
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