–
British clothing brand Fred Perry stops selling its famous black and yellow polo in the United States and Canada. The reason is the success of the shirt in the neo-Nazi Proud Boys movement. “This is extremely frustrating, but we do not want to be linked to such an organization in any way,” it said in a press release.
The company emphasizes that inclusivity, diversity and independence have been its core values for more than 65 years. “In the 1970s, the black and yellow polo came on the market. The piece of textile was worn by different subcultures and generations, without any prejudice. ”
Yet, as president of the brand, John Flynn also had to answer for the association with the extreme right four years ago. “Founder Fred Perry was the son of a working-class socialist MP,” he said. “He became tennis champion at a time when that sport still radiated something elite. He then worked with a Jewish businessman from Eastern Europe. We regret having to answer questions like this. Of course we do not support the extreme right-wing ideals. That line of thought goes against everything we stand for. ”
FBI
The Proud Boys regularly appear at Trump rallies and have been considered a right-wing extremist group by the FBI since 2018. Founder Gavin McInnes wrote several times that the polo was the suitable uniform to combat multiculturalism.
Fred Perry emphasizes that the shirt will only be sold again when the link with the Proud Boys has completely disappeared. In the meantime, the brand is taking legal action against counterfeiting. “Illegal use is inadmissible,” he says. “We have nothing to do with Proud Boys products that have our black and yellow colors and our laurel wreath.”
–
– .
