WARNING: This story contains images that readers may find distressing and offensive.
A float at the Sundre Pro Rodeo parade in southern Alberta faces a backlash and is called racist.
Photos of the float, taken on Saturday, show a man in a mask driving a tractor.
The tractor pulls another man with a fake beard and a turban. He is seen riding in what appears to be a manure spreader, with the words “The Liberal” stuck to the side.
In a statement posted on the rodeo’s Facebook page, organizers said they did not know this float would go to the parade.
One of the entrants to the Sundre Pro Rodeo parade this morning. Wow! 😬 pic.twitter.com/g7IdkpWIuq
– @airdronian
“The entry was not approved and after further investigation it was incorporated into the parade without going through any records. Let it be clear that it was not approved,” the parade committee statement said.
The committee added that they are committed to making sure that future entries are reviewed and that this does not happen again.
In a second post on Facebook, the organizers of the rodeo wrote, “If we knew about this float, we would never have approved it! We send our deepest apologies and something like this will never happen again.”
Photos of the entrance to the parade have provoked the condemnation of many online, including members of the Sikh community and parliamentarians from across the political spectrum.
The Sikh community in Canada, of which I am a proud member, has a wide variety of political perspectives.
Most importantly, the Sikhs have been a strong force for good in Alberta and across the country.
Shame on those responsible for this despicable display of racism. https://t.co/WMYa46IIN0
– @ ChahalGeorge
George Chahal, the Liberal MP for Calgary Skyview, tweeted: “Sikhs have been a strong force for good in Alberta and across the country. Shame on those responsible for this despicable display of racism.”
Calgary Forest Lawn Conservative MP Jasraj Singh Hallan also spoke on Twitter about the float.
“This is absolutely disgusting. Such acts have no place in Canada. This should be condemned in firmer terms by all,” he wrote.
This is absolutely disgusting. Such events have no place in Canada. This should be condemned on the firmest terms by all. https://t.co/y9OZNcXbYI
& mdash; jasrajshallan
The Dashmesh Culture Center in Calgary, a center of the Sikh community, tweeted that they are “extremely disappointed and sad to witness this horrific demonstration of racism towards the Sikh community.”
They also invited the organizers of the parade to visit the cultural center to get to know the Sikhs.
Organizers of the rodeo, which takes place about 90 miles northwest of Calgary, told Facebook that the parade “is intended to be a community celebration.”
“The committee is committed to celebrating the community and showing a positive family experience,” they added.