An incident involving a group of people wearing Ku Klux Klan-style costumes in El Paso has made headlines beyond Texas, drawing national attention and condemnation from community leaders.
Videos and photos circulating on social media show several individuals wearing white robes and pointed hoods during what appeared to be a Halloween gathering. The controversy has since been covered by national news organizations, including CNN and NBC News. The video was also shared by former CNN host Don Lemon.
The El Paso Police Department is currently reviewing the incident to determine whether any laws were violated, the El Paso Times previously reported.
Video clips and photos on social media depict about six people in pointy white KKK robes in what appears to be a backyard, as shared by Fam El Paso.
El Paso police Chief Peter Pacillas issued an Oct. 26 statement and said police “are reviewing the available information to determine whether any laws were violated, including disorderly conduct or other applicable offenses. Free expression has limits when it crosses into conduct that threatens public order or the safety of others.”
The El Paso branch of the NAACP and civic and political leaders have also issued sharp condemnations of the KKK costume incident, saying it is not a joking matter given the Klan’s violent racist history and is not reflective of El Paso.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
More: Possible teens in KKK robes spark outrage from Escobar, NAACP in El Paso
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico rolled up his sleeves and made tamales during a campaign stop in El Paso.Talarico visited Gussie’s Tamales in Central El Paso on Oct. 26, one of the city’s best-known tamale bakeries, ahead of his rally at the University of Texas at El Paso.Sporting an apron and gloves, Talarico joined employees in preparing tamales and posed for photos with supporters. The visit was featured in a video shared on Talarico’s campaign social media pages.Talarico’s Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, is also scheduled to visit the Sun City on Sunday, Nov. 1, as both candidates make their final campaign pushes ahead of Election Day.Paxton’s campaign is coming to El Paso as part of his “Come and Take It” tour at the Orca Event Venue at 11323 Rojas Drive. Doors open at 3: 30 p.m., and the rally will kick off shortly thereafter.Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso KKK costume controversy draws national media attention