(NEXSTAR) – A group of participants in a Pennsylvania Halloween parade — along with the event’s organizers — are facing backlash over a display that appeared to show a woman dressed as Vice President Kamala Harris with her hands tied, being led through the streets by a golf cart with a sign reading “Trump” across the front. The golf cart, which was mounted with a rifle, was escorted by several parade participants who looked to be dressed as Secret Service members. The parade was held Wednesday night in Mount Pleasant, a borough about 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Photos of the incident have since been shared on social media, where the actions of those involved were condemned and called “evil” and “sickening.” Poll finds skepticism of nationwide election tallies, especially among Republicans Mount Pleasant Mayor Diane Bailey told Pittsburgh NPR affiliate WESA that she was at the parade and was “as shocked by it as anyone else.” She also said she was not aware of the group’s plan before the parade and that Mount Pleasant did not organize the event. “The borough had no part in that parade,” Baily told WESA. “That has been handled by the fire department and organized by the fire department for as long as I can remember, and I’m old.” Neither the mayor nor a representative for the borough had responded to Nexstar’s requests for additional information as of Friday afternoon. The fire department, meanwhile, issued a statement on Facebook to “sincerely apologize for allowing the offensive participants to take part in the Mount Pleasant Annual Halloween Parade,” but also claimed ignorance of the group’s plans. “The annual Halloween Parade is a first come, first serve event and we have traditionally only provided safety & traffic control,” reads a message attributed to the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department. “We will be reviewing our planning processes to prevent a situation like this from happening again.” The fire department added that its members do “not share the values represented by those participants.” The incident also drew condemnation from the NAACP’s Pittsburgh branch, who called it racist and offensive. “This appalling portrayal goes beyond the realm of Halloween satire or free expression; it is a harmful symbol that evokes a painful history of violence, oppression, and racism that Black and Brown communities have long endured here in America,” wrote Daylon A. Davis, the president of the branch. “In allowing this display, the organizers have sent a troubling message that demeans and dehumanizes Black and Brown individuals. This kind of imagery reinforces a dangerous narrative, implicitly suggesting that Black individuals belong in chains. Such a display has no place in our society today or any community that values inclusivity, respect, and human dignity.” Davis further called for parade organizers and borough officials to apologize and take action to prevent similarly “hateful and hurtful” displays from being permitted in the future. Should you pay attention to polls ahead of Election Day? Michelle Milan McFall, the chair of Westmoreland County’s Democratic Party, also noted that the incident came during what might be “the most contentious election” in the county, she told Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE. "It's vile. It's heartbreaking. It's concerning. And I think it's also got an element of danger,” Milan McFall told the outlet. “Again, we're living in this climate where people aren't just thinking about hatred and feeling it in their guts and bones. They're acting on it. We have to take down the temperature."