There has been widespread criticism of people dressed up in Klu Klux Klan dress in Newtownards.
Strangford DUP MP Jim Shannon has condemned the Klu Klux Klan show outside the Islamic Centre in Ards as a “disgrace” designed to heighten tensions within community and to instil anxiety. He added: “They will not succeed in heightening fear and anxiety.
“It is clear that there are elements that use abhorrent methods of publicity to illustrate their political view that is not supported in Ards and never will be.
“I would reiterate that the good people of Ards will never accept or give cover to any such group that steps outside the law and spews out hate towards our fellow citizens in Newtownards.
“I have contacted the PSNI regarding this. A hate crime has taken place in Ards over the weekend and those involved deserve to be in jail and not on our streets.”
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong has branded the group of people as “disgusting” pictured dressed in KKK uniforms in Newtownards. This past weekend a group of people dressed up as Klu Klux Klan members and posed for a photograph outside the local Islamic prayer house and near Conway Square.
The local Alliance MLA said: “Everyone knows exactly what the KKK stands for. The KKK represents a brand of hatred not wanted or welcome in this 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. Images were then shared across social media.”
“I call on the PSNI to review CCTV to identify which bars this 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.”
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