Klan Video Causes Uproar in North Central Connecticut

STAFFORD, CT — North Central Connecticut was in an uproar on Monday over a video featuring a party at which some participants wore Ku Klux Klan outfits that has been circulating around social media. State police said they are looking into the matter.

At first, the rumor mill late Monday morning placed the party in Stafford. State police at 1:15 p.m. confirmed it was actually in East Windsor. State police spokeswoman Trooper First-Class Kelly Grant said state police are now investigating the matter.

That was after an investigation by the Stafford First Selectman's Office and the Resident State Troopers in that town.

Stafford First Selectman Anthony Frassinelli said he and state state police met with two people who live in Stafford and attended the party.

"The first thing I’d like to make perfectly clear is that the party was not in Stafford. That fact has been verified that it took place in another town," he said.

Frassinelli said there was one resident from Stafford in attendance who was seen in the video.

"They apologized for being there and are full of remorse and embarrassment about being involved," he said. "They want to make sure the public knows that they unequivocally denounce the KKK-looking costume and that they again apologize and said it was just that — a costume."

He added, "We have zero tolerance regarding bigotry or hate regardless of where it happens. The state police are aware as is other law enforcement and is continuing to investigate it."

Grant did not elaborate on whether criminal charges are possible.

North central and and eastern Connecticut have a history with Klan-like gatherings. Two are considered the most infamous.

There was a rally on the property of self-proclaimed East Windsor "Constitutional activist" Ed Thrall in 1986.

Five years before that, a rally was staged in the town of Scotland.

Comments on Stafford's Facebook page supported the quick response.

"Thank you for a no tolerance of this type of behavior. It is much appreciated," one resident said.

"I recognize that this is a very serious matter for the Town of East Windsor and our residents," East Windsor First Selectman Robert Maynard said in a written statement. "Racist behavior and bigotry is intolerable in our community, and the Town has a responsibility to investigate the behavior exhibited in the video. Hate itself is not a crime— and we are mindful of protecting freedom of speech and other civil liberties. I’m asking the residents of our town to give our police department the time to thoroughly investigate the tape. If the department finds cause to prosecute people identified in the video, they will do so. When a small community like East Windsor - filled with good, caring people - are tested in this way, we must stand together to condemn bigotry and hatred, but we must also follow the rule of law and trust in the work of our law enforcement officers."

East Windsor Selectman Jason Bowsza said, "I want to thank the East Windsor Police Department, and specifically Detective Sergeant Matthew Carl, for the very professional way that the department has handled this breaking news and denounced it. East Windsor is better than this. We are not a community that is bigoted, hateful and xenophobic. There is no place for hate crimes that make people feel devalued, unwelcomed and unsafe. I’ve knocked on thousands of doors in our town, and have had an opportunity to get to know the families here. These families are why I’ve stayed. The type of behavior that happened this weekend is not who we are. We are a community that values inclusion. We value tolerance. We value compassion and understanding. We are a caring place where anyone is welcomed. This weekend’s event was not just “kids being kids.” It was a reminder to all of us that hate and bigotry are part of the world we live in, and that we need to renew our commitment to each other and to ourselves that we need to be part of the solution that makes East Windsor, our state, and our country a better place."

East Windsor police asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Detective Division at 860-292-8240.

Photo credit: Screen shot of Facebook posting