Huntington woman defends KKK Halloween ride as officials issue formal condemnations

A couple in Ku Klux Klan costumes rode through the streets of Huntington, Indiana, on Saturday, October 31, 2026, while children were out trick-or-treating.

Photos and videos of the ride circulated on social media over the weekend, drawing criticism from residents and public officials across the region.

The incident occurred in residential neighborhoods as families participated in local Halloween traditions. The visual evidence prompted immediate scrutiny of the couple’s decision to wear the attire in public.

Local leaders moved quickly to address the community response. Huntington Mayor Richard Strick released a statement condemning the event. The Huntington County Commissioners also issued a joint statement on Sunday, publicly criticizing the behavior.

Rob Miller, the president of the county commissioners, spoke to 21Alive News on Sunday. He argued that the community should not treat the event as a minor holiday joke. “I think it’s something that we can’t disregard as just a Halloween prank,” Miller said. He noted that the costumes recalled a “dark chapter in this nation’s history” involving racism and violence. Miller called the decision to wear the outfits “unconscionable.”

State Senator Nick McKinley, who represents Senate District 17, also issued a statement. His district covers Huntington, Grant, and Wabash counties.

The woman pictured on horseback did not appear on camera to discuss the event. She communicated with 21Alive News via Facebook messages on Monday. In a post to a local community group, she described the group as “1 ghost off the kkk, 2 ghost horses and 1 regular old ghost.” She apologized to children who might have been offended by photos taken with them.

When asked about criticism that her explanation minimized the historical weight of the Klan, the woman defended the choice. “I think there’s not much wrong with it being a costume on Halloween. Lots of Halloween costumes are controversial,” she said. She acknowledged that some residents were offended but stated that did not give them the right to attack the couple. She emphasized that they were not Klan members or racists and did not physically harm anyone.

The woman told reporters the costumes were worn for roughly 30 minutes. She described the reaction as “blown out of proportion,” noting the couple was not trying to send a message. She reported that the backlash led to doxing, threats, and defamation. She specifically mentioned death threats and threats to steal their horses.

Roderick Parker, founder of Big Hearts Community Projects, suggested a different path forward. He stated that the display represented racism and hatred of humanity. Parker, whose daughter attended school in Huntington, said the images sparked fear and outrage. He argued that reacting with anger alone creates more anger.

Parker proposed an open discussion to bridge gaps in the community. “I would love for you guys to come sit down at a table with myself and a couple of the leaders in the community,” Parker said. He aimed to use the meeting for education and unity. When asked on Monday if she would consider meeting, the woman said it would have to be something she and her boyfriend discuss, but called it a possibility.