Dan Lipinski Stands Against Nike After It Pulls Patriotic Sneakers

Dan Lipinski Stands Against Nike After It Pulls Patriotic Sneakers
Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) testifies during a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington March 20, 2007. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
NTD Photo

Democratic Illinois Rep. Dan Lipinski expressed his opposition to Nike’s decision to recall an American flag-themed sneaker by wearing one of the shoemaker’s largest competitors.

“I’m sitting here working. Notice I’m not wearing Nikes, nor will I anytime soon,” Lipinski tweeted Tuesday along with a picture of the New Balance sneakers he was wearing.

Nike revealed a day prior that the company was recalling Air Max 1 USA sneakers because a Revolutionary War-era version of the flag was stitched on the heel.

Nike Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July shoes
This undated product image shows Nike Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July shoes that have a U.S. flag with Betsy Ross flag on them. (AP Photo)

The already-produced shoe line was pulled after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick complained that the Betsy Ross flag was a symbol of the slave era and considered offensive, reported The Wall Street Journal. Kaepernick, who is endorsed by Nike, gained notoriety by kneeling during the national anthem to protest systematic racism in America.

Nike revealed a day prior that the company was recalling Air Max 1 USA sneakers because a Revolutionary War-era version of the flag was stitched on the heel.

The already-produced shoe line was pulled after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick complained that the Betsy Ross flag was a symbol of the slave era and considered offensive, reported The Wall Street Journal. Kaepernick, who is endorsed by Nike, gained notoriety by kneeling during the national anthem to protest systematic racism in America.

Colin Kaepernick kneels in protest during the national anthem in 2016.
Colin Kaepernick #7 and Eric Reid #35 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel in protest during the national anthem prior to playing the Los Angeles Rams in their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif., on Sept. 12, 2016. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Molly Prince

From The Daily Caller News Foundation

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