KKK Costume At Legion Halloween Party ‘Poor Judgment,’ Police Say

A Ku Klux Klan costume awarded first prize at a Halloween party at a Royal Canadian Legion was “poor judgment,” but not criminal, police said Wednesday.

A man dressed in a KKK robe, complete with hood and a Confederate flag on his back led another man in blackface around by a rope tied in a noose around his neck at the Halloween party in Campbellford, Ont., on Saturday night. A witness said the act was awarded top honours.

Ontario Provincial Police Const. Chris Dewsbury said police received a complaint and launched an investigation. So far it seems unlikely criminal charges will be laid, but the investigation is ongoing, Dewsbury said.

“At the present time it would appear that this is simply a case of poor judgment involving the selection of a Halloween costume and there’s no basis to suggest that a criminal offence has taken place,” he said.

The investigator has conducted interviews, Dewsbury said, but he wasn’t able to say if the people involved in the costume were among those interviewed.

A photo of the two showing the noose around the neck of the man in blackface was splashed across websites and TV broadcasts.

The incident prompted Royal Canadian Legion officials to close the Campbellford branch indefinitely.

Bob Butt, spokesman for the legion’s national office, told local radio station CJTN that the Campbellford legion will remain closed for an unknown time.

Legion branch president Joy Herrington issued a statement Tuesday saying she apologizes and the events at the party in no way reflect the views of the eastern Ontario legion branch or its members.

Patricia Varga, Dominion president of the Royal Canadian Legion said in a statement from Ottawa that she “sincerely regrets” the incident.

“I am satisfied that the president (of the) Ontario command of the legion has handled this matter in a forthright and speedy manner since finding out about it,” Varga said.

“Once the investigation has been completed, the legion will take the necessary actions based on its bylaws,” she added.

“I also want the citizens of Canada and the members of the organization to know that this behaviour is not condoned by the legion nor is it reflective of its members.”

Trent Hills municipality Mayor Hector Macmillan called the incident an unfortunate error.

“I believe that there’s been a mistake made, that they should never have been allowed in the legion,” he told CJTN.

“It’s an unfortunate incident and I find it appalling, but it’s not something that’s indicative of our community.”

Mark Andrade, who is black, said he arrived at the legion for a beer with friends at about 11:30 p.m., just in time to see the offending costume awarded first prize.

“When I saw it and put down my beer and left and was walking out — I never felt as alone as I have in my life,” said Andrade, who added he did not believe the person in costume was a legion member.

Andrade said he called the legion on Monday to complain and the president “told me I was about the 400th call she’d received since Saturday night.”