Canadian Fire Department Issues Apology for KKK Costumes
A group of firefighters in Nova Scotia faces allegations of racism for allowing guests dressed as Klansmen to attend their Halloween party. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
A fire department in Canada has apologized and refuted allegations of racism after a group attended their annual Halloween party in Ku Klux Klan costumes.
On Saturday, four individuals arrived at the North Sydney Firefighters Club in Nova Scotia dressed as KKK members. Photos capturing the group interacting with other partygoers have gone viral, with one attendee even holding a wooden cross.
In a Facebook statement released Sunday night, the firefighters’ club clarified, “these four individuals are in no way, shape or form associated with our organization.”
When questioned about how the individuals were allowed entry in their costumes, Fire Chief Lloyd MacIntosh acknowledged to Global News on Monday that “a mistake was made,” adding that volunteers at the event later removed the wooden cross from one of the guests.
Social media backlash erupted against the organization following the incident, with many highlighting the questionable choice of costumes chosen by the guests.
“The situation at the North Sydney Firefighters club is not who we are or what we stand for,” stated Deputy Fire Chief Wade Gouthro on Facebook. He expressed deep regret, saying, “The members of North Sydney and myself are very sorry from the bottom of our hearts and we ask for your forgiveness. We would certainly never intentionally hurt or insult anyone regardless of race, color, orientation or religion. I can also tell you to be referred to as racists hurts bad.”
The Ku Klux Klan, which emerged after the American Civil War, is one of the oldest extremist groups in the U.S. Throughout its history, it has undergone several transformations and once boasted up to six million members in the early 20th Century, including prominent political figures. While the modern KKK is significantly diminished, its estimated membership now stands at fewer than 3,000.
In response to the incident, local police in North Sydney revealed they are conducting an investigation to determine if a hate crime occurred.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
On Saturday, four individuals arrived at the North Sydney Firefighters Club in Nova Scotia dressed as KKK members. Photos capturing the group interacting with other partygoers have gone viral, with one attendee even holding a wooden cross.
In a Facebook statement released Sunday night, the firefighters’ club clarified, “these four individuals are in no way, shape or form associated with our organization.”
When questioned about how the individuals were allowed entry in their costumes, Fire Chief Lloyd MacIntosh acknowledged to Global News on Monday that “a mistake was made,” adding that volunteers at the event later removed the wooden cross from one of the guests.
Social media backlash erupted against the organization following the incident, with many highlighting the questionable choice of costumes chosen by the guests.
“The situation at the North Sydney Firefighters club is not who we are or what we stand for,” stated Deputy Fire Chief Wade Gouthro on Facebook. He expressed deep regret, saying, “The members of North Sydney and myself are very sorry from the bottom of our hearts and we ask for your forgiveness. We would certainly never intentionally hurt or insult anyone regardless of race, color, orientation or religion. I can also tell you to be referred to as racists hurts bad.”
The Ku Klux Klan, which emerged after the American Civil War, is one of the oldest extremist groups in the U.S. Throughout its history, it has undergone several transformations and once boasted up to six million members in the early 20th Century, including prominent political figures. While the modern KKK is significantly diminished, its estimated membership now stands at fewer than 3,000.
In response to the incident, local police in North Sydney revealed they are conducting an investigation to determine if a hate crime occurred.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
