Skip to main content

ACLU DEMANDS KENNER MAYOR TO REVERSE NIKE BAN

Sep 12, 2018 02:22PM ● By Flint Zerangue, Sr.

(UPDATE) 

NIKE Product Purchases Banned From City Rec Centers in Kenner Louisiana

Earlier this week Parish News reported that on September 5th, 2018, Mayor Ben Zahn of Kenner, Louisiana issued a memo stipulating that:

“Effective immediately all purchases made by any booster club operating at any Kenner Recreation Facility...   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 Mayor issued an additional memo on September 10th, 2018 further explaining his position on the ban and why he felt it was his obligation to issue the ban. 

Today, the ACLU of Louisiana, in conjunction with the ACLU sent a letter to Mayor Zahn informing him that his actions violate the First Amendment and advised him to rescind his policy immediately. 

According to the ACLU of Louisiana, they have taken this action because Zahn’s policy violates the First Amendment’s prohibition on content and viewpoint discrimination. It prevents booster clubs from purchasing Nike’s products based solely on the mayor’s opposition to Nike’s political expression.

A copy of the Mayor's two memo's and the ACLU letter are attached to this article.  

Parish News will continue to update this story as it develops. 

#####