MINNEAPOLIS — The organizer of a World War II party that included Nazi flags and men in SS uniforms apologized Wednesday after a photo of the event provoked outrage.
Scott Steben had said the Jan. 20 dinner was a Christmas party and an exercise for period actors. But in an apology reported by the Star Tribune, he said his group understands the dinner made people uncomfortable. ‘‘That was not our intent,’’ he said. ‘‘We are a historical re-enactment and professional actor society dedicated to promoting understanding of World War II,” their statement read. The dinner also had Nazi banners on a German restaurant’s walls.
‘‘Glorification and/or celebration of Nazi Germany and its military would appear to be incongruous with the nature of a family restaurant,” the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas said. The Minnesota Rabbinical Association agreed.