Not balaclever
Nike withdraw ‘menacing’ £70 mask in row over gang stabbings
NIKE has stopped selling a controversial balaclava amid claims it was cashing in on violent gang culture.
Balaclavas are linked to street crime and the sinister £70 hood, complete with Nike’s trademark tick, caused uproar among antiknife crime campaigners.
Despite the sports giant taking the headgear off its website – only launched last month in its x MMW range – it has sold out globally.
Paul McKenzie, of Tottenham, North London, who regularly speaks out about knife crime, wrote on Facebook: “We look at images of young people on the street and they look menacing already.
“So Nike decides to bring out a balaclava range which looks absolutely menacing.” Former gang member turned award-winning youth worker Chris Preddie called for a Nike boycott. He thundered: “Young people are killing each other. But who’s making sure they’ve got equipment to get away with it? Who’s making sure their face is covered? “The only people who will go and buy these are young people involved in gangs.” Yesterday Nike’s website said the balaclava, created by trendsetting US designer Matthew Williams, “was no longer available”. A spokesman added: “These products were part of a wider Nike Training collection. We are in no way condoning or encouraging criminal and gang culture.”
The only people who will go out and buy these are young people involved in gangs CHRIS PREDDIE AWARD-WINNING YOUTH WORKER