There’s been widespread condemnation after vile photos surfaced on social media of a group of people dressed as members of the Ku Klux Klan in Newtownards. Police are treating it as a hate crime.
One photo shows the group outside what appears to be the town’s mosque.
It’s believed the photographs were taken on Saturday night at the height of the Halloween festivities.
Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong has called on police to review CCTV footage in a bid to identify the group of people.
“Everyone knows exactly what the KKK stands for. The KKK represents a brand of hatred not wanted or welcome in the area. This group did not simply dress up for Halloween, rather they deliberately posed outside the prayer house in Newtownards.
“This is a clear demonstration of aggression and bullying towards one particular religion and that is a hate crime. These people were then photographed brazenly walking around Newtownards,” she said.
She has called on the PSNI to review CCTV to identify which bars the group visited.
“I call on all the bars in Newtownards to contact the PSNI to help identify these people. Racism, religious intolerance and bullying of a minority group is disgusting and illegal. “Anyone with information should contact the PSNI by calling 101. Let’s stamp out hate in our area once and for all,” she added.
United States 1930's … Newtownards High Street, Co.Down. October 27th-2018. @williamcrawley @1PhilipSmith @mikenesbittni #Notoracism ?@peterweirmla pic.twitter.com/GfvI0K7jNh
— Seán South (@Seanofthesouth) October 28, 2018
Running around Newtownards dressed as the KKK, regardless of whether the perpetrators thought it was a joke or not, is the height of idiocy. The KKK were a disgraceful organisation who were racist, pro-Palestinian & hated Israel. Achieves nothing but bad press for the area.
— Jamie Bryson (@JamieBrysonCPNI) October 28, 2018
What sort of group of idiots go round Newtownards dressed in KKK costumes? That the same group appear photographed outside the Islamic Centre shows malevolent intent. Totally unacceptable
— peter weir (@peterweirmla) October 28, 2018
Police are appealing for information.
Inspector Richard Murray said they received a report around 5pm yesterday (Sunday, October 29), about a group of people dressed as Ku Klux Klan members in the vicinity of Greenwell Street.
“Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are treating this as a hate incident at this time.
“Hate crime, in all its forms, is totally unacceptable. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure that we live in a society where diversity is respected.
“If you or someone you know is the victim of a hate crime please contact police or your local support agency. For more information visit https://www.psni.police.uk/
“I am appealing to anyone who can help us identify any of the people in the group, or who can tell us about anything about this to contact police in Newtownards on the non emergency number 101, quoting reference number 1066 of 28/10/18,” he said.
Alternatively, information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is 100% anonymous and gives people the power to speak up and stop crime.