MT. PLEASANT, Pa. (KDKA) – Some participants in a Halloween parade outside Pittsburgh are receiving heavy criticism for their depiction of Vice President Harris in a float.
Photos of the float at Wednesday night’s parade in Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County, show a utility vehicle decorated with American flags and campaign signs for former President Donald Trump and people dressed as U.S. Secret Service agents with what appears to be a rifle mounted on top . at the top and with a person dressed as Harris, chained up and walking behind the cart. KDKA-TV later discovered it was a fake gun.
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The photos have gone viral on social media and the response has been overwhelmingly negative, with many calling the float racist and offensive.
In a statement on Facebook on Thursday evening, the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department apologized “for allowing the offending participants” to participate in the parade.
“We do not share the values these participants represent, and we understand how this has hurt or offended members of our community,” the post said.
The department said it “traditionally provided security and traffic control only” during the parade, but did not elaborate on how the float reached the parade or who was involved.
“We will review our planning processes to prevent a situation like this from happening again. Thank you for your understanding and support as we work to make our events more welcoming for everyone,” the message said.
Daylon A. Davis, president of the Pittsburgh NAACP chapter, said in a statement: “This disgusting display goes beyond the realm of Halloween satire or free speech; it is a harmful symbol that evokes a painful history of violence, oppression and violence. racism that black and brown communities here in America have long endured.
“We urge event organizers and local leaders to implement clearer guidelines to prevent these types of hateful and hurtful displays in the future. We also ask that they apologize and publicly commit to anti-racist values that affirm the dignity and equality of all people.”
Mount Pleasant Mayor Diane Bailey condemned the portrayal of Harris. (Note: Viewers may find this video offensive)
“I was shocked, angry and upset,” she said Thursday. “This has no place in this parade or in this city.”
The mayor said it is up to the fire department to make changes.
“They have never submitted any applications in the past,” Mayor Bailey said. “They’ve never vetted anyone who wanted to come to the parade.”
KDKA-TV investigative producer Tory Wegerski contributed to this report.
