MOUNT PLEASANT, Pa. — A Halloween parade float in a small Pennsylvania town has sparked widespread outrage after photos surfaced showing a depiction of Vice President Kamala Harris being led in chains behind a Trump-themed vehicle. Images of the float, which featured people dressed as Secret Service agents with what appeared to be a rifle mounted on top, were quickly shared on social media, drawing condemnation from local residents and civil rights groups.

The float was part of a parade in Mount Pleasant, a town in Westmoreland County, where the local volunteer fire department later apologized for allowing the display. “We do not share in the values represented by those participants,” the department stated on Facebook, acknowledging the harm the portrayal had caused within the community.

Civil rights organizations, including the NAACP Pittsburgh branch, condemned the imagery as racially offensive and evocative of a violent past. In a statement, NAACP Pittsburgh President Daylon A. Davis expressed his dismay, calling the depiction “a harmful symbol that evokes a painful history of violence, oppression, and racism.” He urged local leaders to establish guidelines to prevent such displays in future public events and to publicly commit to anti-racist principles.

The incident has intensified scrutiny on the political rhetoric surrounding Trump rallies and MAGA events, where chants of “Lock her up” have frequently targeted Harris, echoing past chants aimed at Hillary Clinton. Critics argue that these events create an environment that fosters intolerance, particularly towards women and people of color.

With Trump’s campaign still reeling from backlash over other recent incidents, including a comedian’s racist remarks at a rally, this latest display has only deepened concerns about the divisive language often associated with MAGA events. Civil rights advocates continue to call for greater accountability, underscoring the importance of leaders distancing themselves from such displays of hate.