CITY OF KENNER News Release E. “BEN” ZAHN III MAYOR FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 10, 2018 STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BEN ZAHN Kenner, LA. – Private, for-profit companies have every right to advertise how they wish, even if it means using advertising to promote corporate political beliefs. Individuals also have every right to support or oppose any company or brand for any reason. Those freedoms should never be lost. I applaud Nike’s message of inclusion and encouragement for everyone to be their best and dream big. But I also recognize that Nike, in its zeal to sell shoes, chose to promote and sell a political message. In Kenner, like every city, our citizens and our taxpayers cover a wide spectrum of political philosophies and agendas. We must respect all of those agendas and philosophies. So, when a company uses its advertising as its own political megaphone, government should be fair to all of its people and not allow taxpayer dollars to be used to help that company push its own political agenda. My decision is only to protect taxpayer dollars from being used in a political campaign. Some have asked if people will be allowed to wear Nike apparel on city playgrounds. The answer to that is … of course. My internal memo draws the line on letting companies profit from taxpayers by espousing political beliefs. My decision disallowing Nike from profiting from our taxpayers while they are using their powerful voice as a political tool is my message. This government will not let taxpayer dollars be used to promote a company’s or individual’s political position, platform or principle. That’s my position as a matter of fairness to all. ### Download the City of Kenner’s Mobile App, FREE through your device app store. Visit us at: http://www.kenner.la.us @CityofKenner City of Kenner Government City of Kenner App CITY OF KENNER - 1801 WILLIAMS BOULEVARD - KENNER, LOUISIANA 70062 - 504-468-4091 - FAX 504-468-6148