A new petition on Care2 is calling for Adidas to severe ties with Kanye West following comments made during a recent interview with TMZ in which the rapper expressed his belief that slavery was a “choice.”
The petition reads: “While Kanye can live safely in his multi-million dollar castle, the rest of black America is continually marginalized and subject to unjust laws and treatment. Some even die because this behavior is so ingrained in our society. Kanye West has a right to free speech, and he has the right to spout lies and misinformation and misplaced opinions — but we as consumers have the right to fight back against this type of dangerous propaganda.”
It goes on to say: “Tell the world [Adidas does] not want anything to do with anyone who believes that millions of Africans chose to toil the fields in bondage.”
West’s relationship with Adidas began back in 2013 when he moved his popular Yeezy brand under the company’s umbrella. Adidas later announced in 2016 that they had forged a long-term working relationship with Kanye, and planned to expand the brand into apparel and retail stores.
Though continued speculation as to whether or not West’s recent comments and outward support of Donald Trump will hurt the rapper’s numerous brands remains to be seen, at present, approximately 4,600 people have signed the petition and the number is only growing.