Louisiana mayor sacks Nike products
Colin Kaepernick ad sparks reaction in Kenner.
The same day Colin Kaepernick shared his full-length Nike ad, a Louisiana mayor reportedly banned Nike products from booster clubs.
Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn III ordered playground booster clubs to stop wearing and buying any Nike products in a leaked memorandum dated Sept. 5.
“Under no circumstances will any Nike product or any product with the Nike logo be purchased for use or delivery at any City of Kenner Recreation Facility,” the memorandum appearing signed by Zahn states.
The widely shared memo says that all apparel, shoes, equipment and any athletic purchase must be approved by the director of Parks and Recreation.
“My decision is only to protect taxpayer dollars from being used in a political campaign,” Zahn said in a statement Monday. “Some have asked if people will be allowed to wear Nike apparel on city playgrounds. The answer to that is … of course.
“My internal memo draws the line on letting companies profit from taxpayers by espousing political beliefs. My decision disallowing Nike from profiting from our taxpayers while they are using their powerful voice as a political tool is my message. This government will not let taxpayer dollars be used to promote a company’s or individual’s political position, platform or principle. That’s my position as a matter of fairness to all.”
Gregory Carroll, a Kenner councilman, said on Sunday he wasn’t aware of the decision to ban Nike products before the message was sent and said “it is in direct contradiction of what I stand for and what the City of Kenner should stand for.” Carroll said he plans to meet with the mayor and other council members to “rescind” the ban.
A video of Zahn last week at a festival in Kenner showed him criticizing those who choose to not stand for the national anthem. “I’m going to ask y’all to stand for what’s about to happen. ... Because this is not the NFL football players, right?” he said before the anthem was sung, eliciting cheers from the crowd. “This is the city of Kenner. In the city of Kenner, we all stand. We’re going to be proud of that.”
Kaepernick was the first to kneel during the national anthem to protest against social inequality and police brutality. He started a movement that led many NFL players to kneel at football games. Last year, he filed a collusion grievance against NFL team owners.
Kaepernick’s decision to kneel and his new presence in Nike’s ad has drawn criticism from many, including President Donald Trump. But it’s also drawn praise. Nike sales reflect that, as online purchases shot up 31 percent after the ad was released.
Kaepernick hasn’t been signed to a team since the 2016 football season.