Tiki Brand, Detroit Red Wings denounce violence in Charlottesville, Virginia
As violence erupted in Charlottesville, Virginia, photographs of protestors chanting, yelling and holding tiki torches emerged. Even though hate flooded the town that hosts the University of Virginia, Tiki Brand, the maker of similar torches to the ones used by the white nationalists, have denounced the violence.
Tiki Brand / Courtesy of TIKI Brand
“Tiki Brand is not associated in any way with the events that took place in Charlottesville and are deeply saddened and disappointed. We do not support their message or the use of our products in this way. Our products are designed to enhance backyard gatherings and to help family and friends connect with each other at home in their yard,” they posted on Facebook.
On Facebook, thousands of commenters weighted in. Many of them commended the brand for taking a strong stand against the violence that killed one person and left 19 injured over the weekend. But Tiki Brand isn’t alone. Charlottesville demonstrators also held signs that mix together the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings logo with Nazi imagery. The symbol was reported to represent a group from Michigan called the Detroit Right Wings, according to CNN.
The Red Wings denounced the association with a post to social media and its website. Part of the statements reads, “The Detroit Red Wings vehemently disagree with and are not associated in any way with the event taking place today in Charlottesville, Va.”
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 12, 2017
The NHL also weighed in on the use of one of its team’s logos. The organization is “obviously outraged by the irresponsible and improper use of our intellectual property” at the rally.
The NHL today released the following statement regarding use of the @DetroitRedWings logo. https://t.co/KDjiY5ZihP pic.twitter.com/2MmHUUsg3i
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 12, 2017