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Adidas sparks outrage with ‘slave’ trainers

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By John Glenday, Reporter

June 19, 2012 | 1 min read

Sportswear brand Adidas has sparked outrage over a pair of trainers with inbuilt manacles – likened by racism campaigners to the type used on black slaves in 19th century America.

The J S Roundhouse Mids are set to be released in August and are defined by a set of orange plastic chains and shackles attached above the foot.

Unveiled on facebook the trainers have already sparked complaints from 2,000 irate users angered by the “slavewear” fashion statement.

One user known as ‘Kay tee’ commented: “It’s offensive and inappropriate in many ways… How would a Jewish person feel if they decided to have a shoe with a swastika on it and tried to claim it was OK in the name of fashion?”

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