El Paso community condemns viral footage of people in KKK-style robes
Videos showing a group in white hoods and robes sparked condemnation from the El Paso NAACP and police, who say the display is hurtful and potentially illegal.
Viral videos captured a group walking through an El Paso neighborhood dressed in white robes and hoods reminiscent of the Ku Klux Klan, prompting outrage from community leaders. Carl B. Dwyer Jr., head of the El Paso NAACP, held a news conference to label the display as deeply offensive and urged educators to address its historical impact. El Paso Police Chief Peter Pacillas announced an inquiry into whether the participants, reportedly including young people, broke any statutes such as disorderly conduct.
He emphasized that Klan symbols represent a legacy of terror and have no place in the city. Pastor Artie C. Maxwell Jr. of Mount Zion Baptist Church warned that treating such symbols as a joke ignores the violence inflicted on Black people. Authorities invited anyone with information to come forward, stressing limits on free expression when public safety is threatened.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing racial tensions and the need for community vigilance against hate symbols.
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