UPDATED Aug. 13, 6:20 p.m. ET: TIKI Brand released a statement on the events in Charlottesville. You can read it below.
See original story from 08/12/17.
On Friday night, a large crowd of white nationalists wielding tiki torches marched on the University of Virginia’s campus in Charlottesville.
The gathering has sparked a series of unsettling events on Saturday. What was supposed to precede a “Unite the Right” rally at Emancipation Park turned into civil unrest between neo-Nazis, counter-protesters, and law enforcement. Officials called for a state of emergency amid violent protests on Saturday morning and earlier this afternoon.
After police attempted to disburse the white nationalists and counter protesters at Emancipation Park, several pedestrians were injured when a car plowed through them on the street. It’s been reported that one person died, and 19 were injured. The driver has been arrested.
As shocking and disturbing these matters were to many, people have gone online to voice their frustrations over a very important detail; that white nationalists used tiki torches for marching. It’s been a mixture of jokes and criticisms on how this country is being represented, but it’s a social discussion that needs to be addressed.
Michael Rapaport was one of the first celebrities to speak up:
Tiki Torch Tough Guys tried to get crunk in #Charlottesville Virginia last night pic.twitter.com/e0GE98juIj
FBI, 1977: Flag anyone who's stockpiling weapons
FBI, 2017: Flag any virgins buying tiki torches.
And then a lot of people just shared their thoughts out loud - even if they were kind of funny.
Imagine if these people ever faced actual oppression. pic.twitter.com/dhPCbtfEjO
Judging by the cloud of citronella off those tiki torches, they've "had it up to here" with the tyranny of bug bites. #Charlottesville pic.twitter.com/olBtpmlBZ7
WE WERE TOLD BY APPLE CARE WE WERE TOLD BY APPLE CARE WE WERE TOLD BY APPLE CARE WE WERE TOLD BY APPLE CARE WE WERE TOLD BY APPLE CARE WE W pic.twitter.com/v685spG45b
When these guys mom's come home and see that all their tiki torches are missing from their patio decks. pic.twitter.com/lF7pJWmWn3
#Charlottesville Remember the days when white supremacists wore white sheets? Now they wear Vineyard Vines and carry tiki torches.
Whites protesting oppression in polo shirts, Khaki Shorts and New Balance shoes with tiki torches... WYD folks? #charlottesville pic.twitter.com/hWFNx45foc
Others wanted to take a guess on where they bought the goods.
Trump calls situation "sad." Because Home Depot ran out of Tiki torches before he could get there... pic.twitter.com/BxzLNvBvi8
I just keep imagining those losers buying up a bunch of tiki torches at the Home Depot like they're so bad ass
When you roll up into Home Depot & have to lie about why you're walking out with 30 tiki torches pic.twitter.com/OfJR6Hd0K0
They sell those torches at Party City. These dudes probably all went to Party City together. pic.twitter.com/L5nfwpaBkb
The Nazis of Pier One Imports pic.twitter.com/nhQYPnqir8
But really, people just wanted to make some valid points.
Imagine if #BlackLivesMatter protestors had at any time past or present showed up for peaceful protests carrying lit Tiki torches; DEATH
I wish cops in #Charlottesville would pretend the nazi's torches were something dangerous like a wallet or a loose cig or a bag of skittles
when you write off Charlottesville as just a fringe act, you prioritize your comfort over the people for whom racism is a daily reality
In the end, it doesn’t matter if the white supremacists were carrying tiki torches (a Polynesian product I might add) or confederate flags, they were armed with a lot of hate that created more hate. Don’t let these extremists ruin tiki torches for you because fuck them.
