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A Ku Klux Klan women’s group that reportedly handed out recruitment cards during a Halloween parade in Pennsylvania is denying accusations that it placed one of its flyers in a child’s candy bucket, per Local 21 News.
The presence of the Women of the Ku Klux Klan at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania's annual Halloween parade sparked backlash after parents said they found a recruitment card in their five-year-old daughter's candy bucket.
In a statement, the group confirmed it distributed materials at the parade but insisted none were given to children.
“We assure you that wasn’t the case at all. That’s not who we are. Children are precious and are not to be used as pawns,” the statement read. “Not saying cards weren’t passed out in the local area. But not in that way. This is misinformation.”
The Women of the KKK also defended their right to operate at the Halloween event, calling the distribution a “patriotic movement” and claiming its mission is to “support our family, our community, and our beloved country.”
The child’s father said he noticed the KKK card only after returning home and checking his daughter’s candy bucket. The card included phrases such as “Invisible Empire,” “A Revival of the American Spirit,” and “Family, Country, Liberty.” A phone number printed on the card leads to a voicemail promoting the organization. A family friend posted the card on social media, sparking community outrage.
The Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the parade, said it was not involved in distributing the materials. In a statement, town leaders condemned the incident, calling the distribution of “hate-based literature” at a family-friendly event “completely unacceptable.”
“Any message or organization promoting racism, intimidation, or discrimination stands in direct opposition to the values of our community,” the statement read. “We celebrate the rich diversity of our residents and strive to ensure that everyone feels safe, valued, and welcome.”
Residents attended a borough council meeting, demanding accountability.
“This is not a civil organization,” one resident said. “The FBI has said this kind of propaganda is often the first step before intimidation and violence.”
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