Levi’s Teams with Billionaire Michael Bloomberg to Attack Gun Rights

[MarkT]

From https://www.nraila.org/articles/20180907/levi-s-teams-with-billionaire-michael-bloomberg-to-attack-gun-rights


Levi Strauss & Co. established its brand in the mid-19th century by selling durable clothing to working-class Americans. As Levi’s signature jeans gained popularity amongst a wider set in the middle of the last century, the pants came to symbolize American freedom. As Stanford Historian Niall Ferguson points out in his book, Civilization: The West and the Rest, during the Cold War, the American pants were so desirable behind the Iron Curtain that citizens would break any number of laws to obtain them. At one point the company even celebrated America’s armed heritage in a circa 1950 advertising brochure, “Levi’s Gallery of Western Guns & Gunfighters.” It’s with some irony then that Levi’s has abandoned this rugged image to team up with a billionaire oligarch in an effort to empower the government to trample upon the fundamental rights of the American people.

On September 4th, Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh announced that the San Francisco-based clothing manufacturer (which also owns Dockers) would openly advocate for gun control. As part of this campaign, the company will donate more than $1 million to radical anti-gun groups, including Michael Bloomberg front-group Everytown for Gun Safety and Giffords, formerly Americans for Responsible Solutions and the Legal Community Against Violence. The company will also match employee donations to these groups and is encouraging its staff to devote their time to anti-gun activism.

Further, Bergh stated that the company has joined the Everytown Business Leaders for Gun Safety. The business wing of Bloomberg’s outfit is dedicated to leveraging member companies’ “market footprint… employee networks, [and] public communications platforms” to diminish Americans’ Second Amendment rights.

In a repulsive insult to the nation’s 100 million gun owners, Bergh likened Levi’s campaign to restrict the rights of law-abiding Americans to previous company efforts aimed at combatting pre-Civil Rights Era racial bigotry.

Among gun owners, Levi’s intemperate foray into the world of gun control politics has been met with the disgust it deserves. However, it shouldn’t be met with surprise.

Since the late 1990s, Levi’s has used its name and resources to attack gun rights. In 1999, the company gave $100,000 to gun control group PAX, followed by a $250,000 donation in 2000 and another $100,000 in 2001.

PAX was founded in 1998 by Dan Gross, who went on to become president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. PAX would go on to change its name to the Center to Prevent Youth Violence and later merge with the Brady Campaign.

Much like Bloomberg’s Everytown, PAX placed an emphasis on attracting corporate partners to their gun control efforts. As part of Levi’s relationship with PAX, in 1999 the apparel company teamed up with the band Goo Goo Dolls to attract support for the anti-gun group during the Levi’s Fuse ’99 summer concert tour. Concert goers, and visitors to Levi’s website, were encouraged to sign the PAX Youth Petition. Moreover, the denim company donated a percentage of all Levi’s Fuse ’99 t-shirt proceeds to the gun control group.

The PAX Youth Petition endorsed a variety of severe gun control measures that have repeatedly been rejected by the American public through their elected representatives. The document called for the “licensing and registration of guns, like automobiles.” The petition also demanded the “elimination of assault weapons and other weapons of war.” As the 1994 Clinton “Assault Weapons” ban was in place at the time of the petition, this imprecise demand appeared to call for prohibiting the sale of the remaining lawful semi-automatic firearms, confiscation of the firearms grandfathered under the ban, or both.

Given the majority of Levi’s 165-year history, Bergh’s decision to use a formerly-quintessential American company to attack a quintessential American right is a particularly sad episode in the current surge in corporate virtue-signaling. We can only assume that Levi’s accountants have determined that resulting skinny jeans sales will be enough to offset the permanent damage to their once-cherished brand.


I haven't bought Levi's for awhile and now I'm glad though I didn't know this.  Been buying Carharts lately at Big R.  Hope they aren't into this mischief as well.

[Farside]

  I had seen something on this not too long ago about Levi brand jeans. I haven't bought them in a long time as well. Wrangler and Diamond MC jeans is what I've bought the last 10 years or so. I bet the orgininal founders of Levis are rolling over in their jeans. 

[Chrisj CMA]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

[Serk]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

They aren't literally putting those on the label (Although they should) but the bit about them making a major anti-freedom push is true, giving big bucks to Soros/Bloomberg anti-freedom groups.

"First, we have established the Safer Tomorrow Fund, which will direct more than $1 million in philanthropic grants from Levi Strauss & Co. over the next four years to fuel the work of nonprofits and youth activists who are working to end gun violence in America.

Second, I’m proud to announce that Levi Strauss & Co. is partnering with Everytown for Gun Safety and executives including Michael Bloomberg to form Everytown Business Leaders for Gun Safety, a coalition of business leaders who believe, as we do, that business has a critical role to play in and a moral obligation to do something about the gun violence epidemic in this country. I encourage every CEO and business leader reading this to consider the impact we could make if we stood together alongside the broad coalition of concerned parents, youth, elders, veterans, and community and faith leaders who are committed to shaping a safer path forward.

Third, we know that some of our employees have been personally affected by this issue and want to see change. Therefore, we are doubling our usual employee donation match to organizations aligned with our Safer Tomorrow Fund. In addition, we’re encouraging employees who are concerned about gun violence to get involved. Levi Strauss & Co. provides employees five hours a month (60 hours a year) in paid volunteer time and we recently expanded this to include political activism. We’re encouraging our employees to use their time to make an impact."

Source - http://fortune.com/2018/09/04/levi-strauss-gun-violence-parkland/

[Gavin_Sons]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

Why not? Buy them and send them pictures of you carrying with the symbols showing. Then say their symbols are not quite working properly.  

[The emperor has no clothes]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

[NewValker]

Put the labels on & sell em in Chicago.
End the gun violence there for good...
Craig

[Jess from VA]

The only Levi's I have are 20 years old. 

This is not new news.

They can suck my... foot.

[MarkT]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

And your proof of that is ...what?

[Serk]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

And your proof of that is ...what?

Mark, just from the context I'm 99.9% sure Mr. Head is correct in this instance, Levis are indeed working against freedom and liberty, but I've seen no indication they're actually putting this sentiment on the label of their jeans.

[Bighead]

Yep they suck.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

And your proof of that is ...what?

To begin with, you will notice it's an NRA logo in the meme.

https://www.metro.us/news/did-levi-strauss-attack-second-amendment

Part way down the article you will read that the NRA created this meme and put it on their Facebook page. I don't do Facebook, so I can't verify that part. There is no doubt Levi Strauss wants to promote common sense gun control. But if you will read the CEO's statement, they are in no way trying to abolish the 2nd Amedment. Which is what the NRA is saying in order to solicit donations.

[Bighead]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

And your proof of that is ...what?

To begin with, you will notice it's an NRA logo in the meme.

https://www.metro.us/news/did-levi-strauss-attack-second-amendment

Part way down the article you will read that the NRA created this meme and put it on their Facebook page. I don't do Facebook, so I can't verify that part. There is no doubt Levi Strauss wants to promote common sense gun control. But if you will read the CEO's statement, they are in no way trying to abolish the 2nd Amedment. Which is what the NRA is saying in order to solicit donations.

We already have common sense gun control laws. So yeah more is just trying to do away with your "our"
Rights. Nothing more.

[Robert]

There is no doubt Levi Strauss wants to promote common sense gun control. But if you will read the CEO's statement, they are in no way trying to abolish the 2nd Amedment.

So they are giving and pairing with a gun known control advocate giving unknown amounts of money and yet giving corporate speak and you believe the words and not the actions. Way to go  

Checks in the mail 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

And your proof of that is ...what?

To begin with, you will notice it's an NRA logo in the meme.

https://www.metro.us/news/did-levi-strauss-attack-second-amendment

Part way down the article you will read that the NRA created this meme and put it on their Facebook page. I don't do Facebook, so I can't verify that part. There is no doubt Levi Strauss wants to promote common sense gun control. But if you will read the CEO's statement, they are in no way trying to abolish the 2nd Amedment. Which is what the NRA is saying in order to solicit donations.

We already have common sense gun control laws. So yeah more is just trying to do away with your "our"
Rights. Nothing more.

Then why make up fake memes ?

[Jess from VA]

If the shoe fits, wear it.

[MarkT]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

And your proof of that is ...what?

To begin with, you will notice it's an NRA logo in the meme.

https://www.metro.us/news/did-levi-strauss-attack-second-amendment

Part way down the article you will read that the NRA created this meme and put it on their Facebook page. I don't do Facebook, so I can't verify that part. There is no doubt Levi Strauss wants to promote common sense gun control. But if you will read the CEO's statement, they are in no way trying to abolish the 2nd Amedment. Which is what the NRA is saying in order to solicit donations.

When posting such a statement it would be appropriate to footnote it with backing - with the post.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

And your proof of that is ...what?

To begin with, you will notice it's an NRA logo in the meme.

https://www.metro.us/news/did-levi-strauss-attack-second-amendment

Part way down the article you will read that the NRA created this meme and put it on their Facebook page. I don't do Facebook, so I can't verify that part. There is no doubt Levi Strauss wants to promote common sense gun control. But if you will read the CEO's statement, they are in no way trying to abolish the 2nd Amedment. Which is what the NRA is saying in order to solicit donations.

When posting such a statement it would be appropriate to footnote it with backing - with the post.

I will keep that in mind. I thought the NRA logo would have tipped you off.

[indybobm]

Wrangler for me. Better jeans anyway.

[MarkT]

I will keep that in mind. I thought the NRA logo would have tipped you off.

No.  They can stick their logo on pics they created (they own the rights) and post on their web site.  As an ex-pro photographer (Studio manager for CPI in Tucson, then owner of Images by Tobias in Kenosha WI), I used to copyright all of the photos I created with my logo.  They can also be copyrighted on the back of hard copies, and that is also legal protection.  They don't have to be registered - just adding your logo or name generally with the "©" symbol is legally sufficient. Don't recall if the "©" is required.  I took their logo to mean they were copyrighting their image.

[Psychotic Bovine]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

It's called hyperbole.


hy·per·bo·le
hīˈpərbəlē/
noun
noun: hyperbole; plural noun: hyperboles

    exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

[Hook#3287]

Haven't bought a pair of Levi jeans in decades, thought I do have a few canvas work shirts made by them.

Stopped buying their stuff when I figured I was paying for their high priced naked model advertisements.

Carhartt, Wrangler, Dickes for work and leasure.

Diamond for riding.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

It's called hyperbole.


hy·per·bo·le
hīˈpərbəlē/
noun
noun: hyperbole; plural noun: hyperboles

    exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

We seem to have a lot of that in the past 21 months. 

[Gavin_Sons]

I like their jeans. Sure hope there’s more to the story. I certainly wouldn’t buy them with those anti gun symbols once the label

The label is fake. Made by the NRA for their story.

It's called hyperbole.


hy·per·bo·le
hīˈpərbəlē/
noun
noun: hyperbole; plural noun: hyperboles

    exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally.

We seem to have a lot of that in the past 21 months. 

Better than the flat out lies we heard the previous 8 

[Carl]

I also have not bought Levi's for many, many years.  My go to supplier has been Schaefer Outfitters. Located in Fort Worth, TX.  Still made in good ol' USA.

[3fan4life]

In the 1980's Levi Jeans has a plant in my hometown.

Several family members lost their job when it was moved to Mexico.

I haven't bought a pair of Levi's since.

[bagelboy]

Always buy Wranglers. I buy them at Walmart for about $16. I destroy work clothes, so I don't buy the more expensive Levi's. Hopefully this comes back to bite Levi's. I'm tired of actors, businesses, and television getting into politics. I miss the days when everyone just kept their opinions to themselves.

[Savago]

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/levis-gun-control/

Quotes:
WHAT'S TRUE
In September 2018, Levi Strauss announced three actions aimed at advocating for gun violence prevention, including establishing $1 million in funding for gun control advocacy and forming a partnership with Everytown for Gun Safety, a group founded and funded by Michael Bloomberg.

WHAT'S FALSE
Contrary to characterizations in some reports, the September 2018 actions were not targeted at Second Amendment-supporting customers of Levi Strauss, were not "anti-Second Amendment" in the sense of wanting to get rid of the Second Amendment, and the aim of "attacking gun rights" was not articulated by the company but rather ascribed to them by gun rights-supporting commentators.

[Bighead]

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/levis-gun-control/

Quotes:
WHAT'S TRUE
In September 2018, Levi Strauss announced three actions aimed at advocating for gun violence prevention, including establishing $1 million in funding for gun control advocacy and forming a partnership with Everytown for Gun Safety, a group founded and funded by Michael Bloomberg.

WHAT'S FALSE
Contrary to characterizations in some reports, the September 2018 actions were not targeted at Second Amendment-supporting customers of Levi Strauss, were not "anti-Second Amendment" in the sense of wanting to get rid of the Second Amendment, and the aim of "attacking gun rights" was not articulated by the company but rather ascribed to them by gun rights-supporting commentators.

Yes they are. Anyone donating $1 million is all about doing away with the second. Or any ither for that fact. So tired of this bullshit. Come Take them!!!!!!!

[Jess from VA]

Anyone (everyone) who follows and supports the Bloomberg (and other) common sense gun safety and violence prevention (nifty propaganda) program, but says they support the 2d Amendment (also propaganda) are simply liars.  The list of liars is really quite long, and includes many politicians and even (at least) three supreme court justices.

They like to say they support the 2d Amendment (because to do otherwise would make them outlaws, and many would be acting in violation of their oaths of office), but when you ask them what they think that means, they mumble something about single shot muzzle loading flintlocks and only applying to the National Guard.

When the founders of our nation wrote that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed..... that's just what they meant.  Specifically, they meant the people had the absolute right to keep and bear all the same small arms used by military and police forces nation-(and world) wide.

When the British marched out to seize Colonial arms held in an armory, we shot them.  We can do it again, thanks to the 2d Amendment and American patriots.   

[Robert]

Anyone (everyone) who follows and supports the Bloomberg (and other) common sense gun safety and violence prevention (nifty propaganda) program, but says they support the 2d Amendment (also propaganda) are simply liars.  The list of liars is really quite long, and includes many politicians and even (at least) three supreme court justices.

They like to say they support the 2d Amendment (because to do otherwise would make them outlaws, and many would be acting in violation of their oaths of office), but when you ask them what they think that means, they mumble something about single shot muzzle loading flintlocks and only applying to the National Guard.

When the founders of our nation wrote that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed..... that's just what they meant.  Specifically, they meant the people had the absolute right to keep and bear all the same small arms used by military and police forces nation-(and world) wide.

When the British marched out to seize Colonial arms held in an armory, we shot them.  We can do it again, thanks to the 2d Amendment and American patriots.   

Exactly,

Also when government gets bad enough that it becomes a dictatorship we have the right and responsibility to overthrow that government  by any and all means possible. Venezuela is a great example of government gone awry.

We the people are supposed to be the government, why should the real owners of the government and country be banned from privileges?

Laws in Chicago do not help.

Either we value this country and are responsible or not.

If you are a free people, you have the ability to do anything you want as long as it does not hurt others. The more limits equals less freedom but that doesn't mean those in power have less freedom it only means the true owners have less power. When does it stop and who stops it? Laws only make it harder for the true owners to keep what they own.

If we have the owners protecting their own and others then why would we need more police and more laws.

People are supposed to be caring and educated enough to know their own limits and care for other owners of this country. If we have children we keep things in receivership till they are old enough to know what to do with the freedom they are given. Are gun control advocates saying we as the population of the US are children and need to be regulated.

People have to learn to respect and protect freedom. They need to understand the abilities and responsibilities they have been given. Fear in owning a gun shows lack of freedom and education since like medicine once you learn and know the good and bad you use it accordingly.

Education has shown to stop drug abuse and smoking, education can also cause a people to use and know the responsibility they have been given in the correct way.

Animals are caged and not allowed to be free since they would harm others, we have to wonder why the educational system of this country is removing the education of the freedoms we have, what it took to get those freedoms and the cost of them also. The dumbing down of people, the putting fear in place of those freedoms keeps the people, the owners afraid to claim their own God given freedoms that were the basis of this country. 

English crown used religion to keep people in control. They did not pass out bibles and made bibles a crime to own. The reason, it gave the idea of freedom not laws and allowed people to be free to make their own decisions in contrast to them being under control.

So many have come back from the military, the thinking of the gun control advocacy group is why has this group of people not gone out and been a scourge to society. Its because they learned the value of a gun and the value of freedom and most use both wisely.

We as people are very creative and innovative how is a law going to stop criminal acts when in prison there are drugs, weapons and crime. The most strict environment has not been able to stop violence.

If you believe what a man or politician or group says rather than there actions and results you will loose all that you have and never understand how.

If we are moving to a enlightened society and progressing forward then we have to believe that each one born is not only special but has the right to make their own decisions and understand how to use the freedoms they were given. IF you take away freedoms it says they dont know how to use them, will never be able to use them in an educated and knowing way for the benfit of all.
 
Freedom comes in knowing the responsibilities you are given and choosing to use them for good and using them wisely.

[Gavin_Sons]

In the name of Levi Jeans, I'm going to buy a scary black gun today 
Hard decision, I really want a kel-tec KSG but also want a remington 700 in 6.5 creedmoor for long distance shooting and deer hunting.

[F6Dave]

I'm not surprised they're still doing this.  I first heard about Levi's support for anti-gun groups back in the late 90s.  I haven't bought any of their products since.

[DIGGER]

It is my opinion that passing more gun laws don't do any good .   We have gun laws already that have very little teeth. Seems to me that when you look at the rap sheets of hardened chronic bad guys that they have multiple to many arrests for gun related crimes.  We just need to enforce the laws we already have and put these folks away  for longer periods of time .  They say the prisons are overflowing and they have to let them go to make room for the next ones.   Bullcrap....build more prisons and put them away longer.    Recently was on a cruise in the Bahama islands on the island of Freeport of the Bahama Islands and on a tour bus during question and answers I asked the tour guide how crime was on their island and he said there is very little crime there and that if a criminal uses a gun in a crime where there is loss of life....the criminal is automatically hung by the neck till they are dead.      Sounds like  good deal to me.

I truly don't think we have that many criminals....we just have the same criminals comitting crimes over and over and over

[Chrisj CMA]

Wearing my 501 button up jeans as I type. Getting ready for church.  Unless Mr Levi or Mr Strauss call for bans and confiscation I'll keep wearing my 501's

I can understand wanting to do something.  Maybe it won't work but doing nothing certainly won't accomplished anything either.

[Serk]

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/levis-gun-control/
WHAT'S FALSE
Contrary to characterizations in some reports, the September 2018 actions were not targeted at Second Amendment-supporting customers of Levi Strauss, were not "anti-Second Amendment" in the sense of wanting to get rid of the Second Amendment, and the aim of "attacking gun rights" was not articulated by the company but rather ascribed to them by gun rights-supporting commentators.

...using that logic Jim Crow laws weren't anti-black.

[Alpha Dog]

I would advise any business to stay away from anything political, even if you think it is a just cause.  Especially in these polarizing times.  Usually this will mean pissing off half of your customers or more.  But they are not asking me.

Since this is about jeans I will give a plug for a hometown jean and clothing company that is completely made here in American, Texas I think.  The All  American Clothing Company on Poprite road here in Arcanum, OH.  I buy all my jeans from them ( actually ask for easy Christmas gifts ) and they come in hard to get odd sizes also for a perfect fit and really good quality.

https://www.allamericanclothing.com/

[Alpha Dog]

I would advise any business to stay away from anything political, even if you think it is a just cause.  Especially in these polarizing times.  Usually this will mean pissing off half of your customers or more.  But they are not asking me.

Since this is about jeans I will give a plug for a hometown jean and clothing company that is completely made here in American, Texas I think.  The All  American Clothing Company on Poprite road here in Arcanum, OH.  I buy all my jeans from them ( actually ask for easy Christmas gifts ) and they come in hard to get odd sizes also for a perfect fit and really good quality.

https://www.allamericanclothing.com/

[Oss]

The inauguration pic of Pres Trump and his first lady walking down the avenue is on my wall of my office next to a pic of the signing of the consititution and the Declaration of Independence.  A Trump coffee cup on my desk along with a well worn dog eared copy of the Constitution.

So far only one person made a disparaging comment and was advised that I was not the attorney for him.

Surprisingly every other person has been "thank god for mr trump"

and this is in the North Bronx, a totally democratic controlled area

As to Levi's yes I am with A.Dog  speak at your peril but also do not be afraid to speak if you really believe