Huntington officials denounce KKK horseback ride

Huntington city, county, and state officials issued formal statements condemning a Halloween event in which a couple rode through residential neighborhoods on horseback dressed in Ku Klux Klan costumes. The incident occurred Saturday evening while families and children were out trick-or-treating. Photographs and videos of the ride circulated widely on social media over the weekend, prompting the coordinated response from local government.

Mayor Richard Strick was the first official to issue a statement regarding the display. On Sunday, the Huntington County Commissioners followed with a joint statement publicly criticizing the behavior. State Senator Nick McKinley, who represents the district covering Huntington, Grant, and Wabash counties, also released a statement addressing the event.

Rob Miller, the president of the Huntington County Commissioners, spoke to 21Alive News about the community reaction. He argued that residents should not view the costumes as a simple joke. “I think it's something that we can't disregard as just a Halloween prank,” Miller said. He noted that the imagery recalls a dark chapter in the nation's history involving racism and violence, calling it unconscionable that someone would believe the display was acceptable.

The woman involved in the ride declined an on-camera interview. She communicated with 21Alive News via Facebook messages on Monday. In a prior post in a local community group, she described the outfit as one ghost from the KKK, two ghost horses, and one regular ghost. She apologized to children whose parents took photos with them and who may have felt offended.

In her messages to the news outlet, the woman defended the choice of costume. She stated that while many Halloween costumes are controversial, she sees nothing wrong with the display. “We are not Klan members, and we are not racists. We did nothing to physically harm anyone,” she said. She added that the couple wore the outfits for approximately 30 minutes and felt the situation was exaggerated as if they were trying to send a specific message.

The woman alleged that the backlash has led to targeted threats against her family and animals. She cited instances of doxing, defamation, harassment, and death threats, along with threats to steal the horses. She urged news outlets to report on this conduct alongside the initial incident.

Roderick Parker, founder of Big Hearts Community Projects, described the display as shocking and hurtful. He said the sight represents racism and hatred of humanity. Parker cautioned that responding with hostility alone will not resolve underlying issues. He proposed an open discussion with the couple and local leaders to bridge gaps and offer education.

When asked Monday if she and her boyfriend would consider such a meeting, the woman expressed a willingness to discuss it. She stated, “It would have to be something me and him discuss but a possibility.”