Lonsdale faces ban on 'Nazi link'

BBC News ^ | 03/22/2006

[Panerai]

Europe's largest mail-order company is reportedly threatening to ban British sportswear firm Lonsdale because of the brand's popularity with neo-Nazis.

Germany's Quelle told a UK newspaper it wished to distance itself from "all tendencies associated with extremism".

In the UK, Lonsdale is known for its boxing links. But on the continent, its clothes are worn by the extreme-right.

No-one from Lonsdale owner SWI Group was available for comment on Wednesday.

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Quelle's managing director Michel Badke said the company wanted "to counter any suggestion we are supporting right-wing extremists through the sale of these goods", London's Independent newspaper has reported.

The firm added that it would decide whether to start a possible ban within the next few days.

In Germany and elsewhere in continental Europe, right-wing extremists are regularly pictured wearing Lonsdale clothing.

Anti-racism campaigners argue that one reason for the firm's popularity in neo-Nazi circles is due to four letters contained in the Lonsdale name - NSDA - being one letter short of NSDAP, the German initials of Adolf Hitler's National Socialist Workers' Party or National Sozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter Partei.

[Zeroisanumber]

It's a privately owned company so they can do what they want with their business, but it seems a bit retarded to me.

[gondramB]

I dont know why it would appeal to neo-Nazis

[MinuteGal]

It really should appeal more to Muslims, seeing the models have no heads.

Leni

[WorkingClassFilth]

It really should appeal more to Muslims, seeing the models have no heads.

No pants either. Should appeal to the left and their lighter-in-the-loafers-than-thou contingent.

[ApplegateRanch]

I wonder, what's their policy on Che Guevara chadors & hijabs?

[rikkir]

"In Germany and elsewhere in continental Europe, right-wing extremists are regularly pictured wearing Lonsdale clothing."

Shouldn't that read left wing if they're talking about Nazis. IIRC the Nazis were much closer to our current Dem's (ie. taking guns etc.).

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

I get queezy when I see the Iron Cross logo of West Coast Choppers. But I'm a long ways from thinking people who wear the logo are Nasti's.

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

Besides, I thought right-wing-extremists dressed like Amish.

[PAR35]

I get queezy when I see the Iron Cross logo of West Coast Choppers.

I hope you never run across a sailor wearing a Navy Cross, then. http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/navcross.htm

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

That's not like the one I was talking about.
Nice medal, yours?

[PAR35]

Not a chance. I drew a high lottery number and didn't have to worry about the draft.