DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings responded Saturday on Twitter to the use of the team's logo on shields at the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia.
A group that goes by the "Detroit Right Wings" uses a red and right wing logo that is similar to the hockey team's logo.
Ahead of the rally, another group has joined - chanting "blood and soil" as they approach #EmancipationPark. #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/BcibSDB3MZ
— Craig Stanley (@_CraigStanley) August 12, 2017
"The Detroit Red Wings vehemently disagree with and are not associated with the event taking place today in Charlottesville, Va.," the team's account posted Saturday morning.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 12, 2017
White nationalists and other right-wing groups gathered at a rally in Charlottesville. Mixed in the crowd was a logo familiar to many Detroiters. It was spotted on the flags and signs carried by those rallying.
A group calling themselves "Detroit Right Wings" are among those at the white nationalist demonstration. It has Detroiters perplexed.
"It's horrible that we still have that level of hate in the world where people have to do things like that to get attention for whatever cause they think they have," Ken Carrier said.
Red Wings fans are stunned to see this connection.
"I don't think the Red Wings want to associate themselves with anything like that," Lorraine Moore said. "They're a professional sports group and they've done nothing but positive things for the city."
It turns out the logos are alike, yet are different. When you look closely at the wheel, you can see the Red Wings logo has straight lines around the spoke, but the other logo has what some say is similar to a swastika.
"Isn't the wing wheel licensed by the Red Wings? Can't they object to it?" one person asked.
The Red Wings have objected. The team took to Twitter, saying it "vehemently disagree with and are not associated in any way with the events taking place," adding that it's "exploring every possible legal action as it pertains to the misuse of our logo in this disturbing demonstration."
Friday night included violent clashes ahead of the rally.
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