El Paso Police Review KKK Costumes Worn by Teens

Police in El Paso, Texas, are reviewing available information to determine if any laws were violated after a group of teenagers wore Ku Klux Klan style robes in local neighborhoods. The El Paso Police Department issued a statement on Tuesday acknowledging the social media videos and reports. The department is specifically looking at whether the conduct constitutes disorderly conduct or other applicable offenses. Police Chief Peter Pacillas noted that free expression has limits when it affects public order or safety. Residents are encouraged to contact the department with information about the incident.

The local NAACP chapter condemned the event in a statement released on Sunday. The group described the KKK hood as an international symbol of white supremacy, racial terror, and intimidation directed at Black Americans. The statement called the parade through the diverse community of El Paso an intolerable affront to residents. Carl B. Dwyer Jr., the branch president, held a news conference on Monday to address the incident with other community leaders. Supporters joined the group in singing Lift Every Voice and Sing during the event.

Dwyer said many people believe the costumes were just a joke. He stated that it hurts when residents see those symbols. Dwyer also called on school superintendents and district administrators to speak up. He urged educators to talk to students about racism and why the costumes were offensive. He asked school leaders to do something about the situation.

Artie C. Maxwell Jr., pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, spoke at the news conference on Monday. He said that when it comes to the lives of those who came before, the costumes are not a joke. Maxwell noted that many people died at the hands of those who wore such costumes. He emphasized the historical weight of the imagery for the community.

Pacillas said the police are aware of reports that the individuals, reportedly including young people, shouted racial slurs while moving through a neighborhood. The department is currently reviewing the information to determine if the actions crossed the line into conduct that threatens public safety. The police have not yet named the individuals involved in the videos.

The incident sparked widespread outrage in the city after several videos went viral. The teenagers were seen walking through multiple neighborhoods in the costumes. The NAACP statement highlighted that El Paso is a community built on solidarity and mutual respect. The police statement emphasized that the department is taking the reports seriously while continuing its review of the available evidence.