(Courtesy: CTV)
The Nova Scotia fire department is apologizing after four guests showed up at a Halloween party dressed in Ku Klux Klan (KKK) costumes.
On Saturday night, the North Sydney Firefighters Club hosted its Halloween event in North Sydney, N.S. Following the party, videos of the controversial costumes from four guests in attendance were posted online sparking backlash from many users.
The unidentified guests appear to be dressed in long white robes with pointed hoods, resembling the far-right terrorist organization. In addition, one of the members was also carrying a large cross.
In response, the club posted a statement apologizing for the incident.
“We made a mistake! We apologize to any and all of our community who were offended or hurt by our lack of actions. These four individuals are in no way, shape or form associated with our organization. We promise to be better in the future,” the club said on Facebook.
However, in the comments, users are criticizing the organization for letting the guests into the dance.
“This is not a mistake, this is blatant racism. They should have never been let in. Apologies are meaningless with no actions behind them. Just know those “accepting” your apology do not speak for the whole nations of people who have been hurt by this. although those people may not be associated with your organization their actions are because it was allowed,” one Facebook user said in part.
“Where is the accountability?! This apology is the bare minimum and you can tell it’s lacking in remorse and critical thinking skills. Are you going to ensure these people are held accountable? This isn’t a “mistake” it was intentional… they knew exactly what it meant dressing up like that. And y’all let them in,” another user said.
“A mistake is one thing. This is just bad morals,” another user commented.
The premier of Nova Scotia Tim Houston responded to the incident calling the actions “entirely unacceptable.”
“Hateful ideologies and groups are not welcome in this province. Engaging with these groups or using symbols of hate cannot be justified. Should these individuals be found to be provincial employees, they will be fired,” he posted on X.
In addition, Deputy Fire Chief of the North Sydney Fire Department Wade Gouthro also released his own apology.
“I can honestly tell you that the situation at the North Sydney Firefighters club is not who we are or what we stand for. I have been reading your comments and to be honest I have been very reluctant to post just because I don’t want to add fuel to the fire so to speak,” Gouthro posted on Facebook.
Gouthro says he and other members of the community are extremely sorry and are asking for the public’s forgiveness, as it was never their intention to “hurt or insult anyone regardless of race, color, orientation or religion.”
He goes on to say that he was not working at this dance but has worked many Halloween dances during his 29 years of service, and that you can never know what to expect when someone walks in.
He ends his post by emphasizing his volunteers are the most caring and helpful individuals and are all “hurting in their hearts” for having disappointed the community.
“I will finish by once again apologizing on behalf of myself and our membership and also a sincere promise to do better in the future,” Gouthro said
