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Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Republicans Pull 'Deport Depot' Merch After Home Depot Complains
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Republican Party of Florida has removed a line of merchandise after the items drew scrutiny for mimicking Home Depot's branding. The merchandise, called "The Deport Depot," included shirts, hats, and other items featuring a logo closely resembling the home improvement retailer's signature orange box and stenciled font. "We don't allow any organization to use our branding or logo for their commercial purposes," Sarah McDonald a spokesperson for The Home Depot told Newsweek. Newsweek has contacted the Florida GOP for comment via email. A Home Depot store is shown, in Bensalem, Pa., on March 14, 2022. A Home Depot store is shown, in Bensalem, Pa., on March 14, 2022. Matt Rourke/AP Why It Matters The merchandise was linked to a new immigrant detention facility recently announced by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. The facility, named the "Deportation Depot," is intended to house individuals detained for immigration violations. DeSantis unveiled the center earlier this month as part of his administration's broader efforts to increase immigration enforcement in Florida. The state of Florida has already opened up and begun detaining migrants in the highly talked about Alligator Alcatraz facility. What To Know Beth Marlowe, a spokesperson for The Home Depot, told the Tampa Bay Times that the company had not authorized the Florida GOP to use its branding or logo on any merchandise. Following the company's objection, the party removed the items from its website and discontinued their sale. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the items remained available for purchase as of Saturday, priced between $15 and $28, with each sale counted as a political contribution to the state's GOP. Both the merchandise and a related post on X were taken down a few hours after the story was first published by the outlet. The "Deport Depot" line marked the Florida Republicans' latest effort to monetize the state's immigration crackdown through merchandise. It wasn't the first time the party tied fundraising to policy rollouts. When DeSantis announced the opening of the Everglades-based "Alligator Alcatraz" detention facility, the GOP, including state Attorney General James Uthmeier, quickly followed with branded shirts, hats, and buttons. Meanwhile, Home Depot has emerged as a notable battleground in the Trump administration's plans to carry out mass deportations. Its stores and parking lots have long served as gathering places for day laborers, many of whom are undocumented. The presence of these workers has made the retailer particularly visible amid aggressive deportation efforts, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement arresting individuals at these locations. According to data from Zippia, approximately 19 percent of Home Depot employees identify as Hispanic or Latino. The company employs over 500,000 individuals, A man was struck and killed on a Southern California freeway Thursday while fleeing a federal immigration raid at a Home Depot, authorities have said. What People Are Saying Home Depot spokesperson Beth Marlowe told the Tampa Bay Times: "We have reached out to the RPOF to try to resolve this issue." Communications Director for the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Adriana Rivera told Newsweek: "The Governor's own words reveal the callousness of his agenda. By calling this jail a 'deportation depot,' DeSantis is reducing human beings to commodities—objects that can be warehoused, processed, and shipped away. Such language and policy choices strip people of their humanity, erasing their families, histories, and fundamental dignity. All of that on top of laughing at the location where many heads of households find work to put food on the table for their families in an honest way." Florida attorney Raul Gastesi, partner at Gastesi, Lopez, Mestre & Cobiella told Newsweek: "Trademark law protects against both consumer confusion and the dilution of a brand's reputation. When a political organization uses a logo that closely resembles a well-known mark on items it sells, the issue becomes less about parody and more about commercial use, which courts take seriously. In these situations, companies are well within their rights to object, even if the underlying message relates to political speech." "Courts generally recognize parody as protected speech when it's noncommercial commentary, but once the logo is placed on merchandise that's sold, even for fundraising, it shifts into commercial use. That distinction is important because it increases the risk of trademark infringement and dilution claims."
Irish Independent
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Wexford clubs host takeover day to celebrate girls in sport
The club saw a huge turnout with 17 clubs from three counties coming to the Gorey grounds to support women in sport. Sarah McDonald has been a coach in Gorey for a number of years, and was inspired to host the event as she said the girls' side of the club has 'exploded' in memberships. 'I was up in the stand one day watching two girls matches and I thought isn't it such a good opportunity for the girls to have teams in Gorey. 'It's not that long ago that there were no teams in Gorey. You know, now we've got soccer, rugby, GAA – great opportunities for girls' teams,' Sarah said. In its third year, Sarah said the event emphasise the importance of girls in sport and encouraging them to continue playing sports in their adulthood. 'The long and short of it is we want to keep all of these girls playing sport. The drop off rate in girls during teenage years is absolutely astronomical. 'We're going to try and do anything we possibly can to prevent that from happening,' she added. Sarah said she started the idea about three years ago and decided to get an expression of interest in the local community to celebrate how welcoming the club is of girls involvement in sport. During the day, several games are played from age six, all the way up to the ladies' team, where they enjoy a full day of games, neighbourly club fun and a great celebration. Throughout the day, visitors could also receive face painting, balloon modelling, and hair braiding. 'There's two pitches of matches running all day long, on the side pitch we have fun activities with traditional sports day races and challenge games,' Sarah said. Each year, the club design a new jersey to incorporate Girls Takeover Day with over 400 jerseys sold this year. 'There's about 400 people in Naomh Éanna who are very proud to wear their jersey with a slash of pink in it. 'The atmosphere on Saturday kind of reminds all of us what it's about, long after the winning and the losing is forgotten about,' Sarah said. Sarah said there was no distinction between the men's and ladies' teams. 'We have equal access to pitches, training space and equipment. There's no distinction on the amount of membership Naomh Éanna charge the girls compared to the boys – which is important to recognise that.' Sarah thanked the coaches, parents, friends and families for helping make the day a success. She also thanked the local businesses who helped make it a day to remember. 'It was just a fantastic day for everybody,' Sarah added.
Scotsman
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Caorunn Gin Paints Glasgow Red Ahead of World Gin Day!
Enjoy a complimentary G&T at Glasgow's iconic Òran Mór venue on Saturday 14th June Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Caorunn, Scotland's handcrafted small-batch gin, has turned Glasgow's iconic Òran Mór venue red in celebration of World Gin Day on Saturday 14th June. To mark the occasion, Caorunn will be hosting an exclusive one-day pop-up at the venue in the city's west-end, which will be transformed into an immersive experience bathed in Carounn's striking signature brand colour, red. Visitors are invited to celebrate this day dedicated to all things gin in style with a complimentary Caorunn Gin & Tonic, served with the brand's signature red apple garnish, offering a refreshing taste of summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bringing the heart of the Highlands to the vibrant city of Glasgow, the reimagined bar will feature a host of interactive elements for gin fans to enjoy in true Caorunn fashion! Known for its refreshingly clean and crisp flavour, Caorunn is crafted using a unique blend of five handpicked Celtic botanicals and six traditional gin botanicals which are all expertly infused in the world's only working Copper Berry Chamber, a process that sets it apart from other gins and delivers its perfectly balanced, iconic flavour. Caorunn From the moment guests arrive, they'll be transported into the world of Caorunn. The experience will feature an immersive sensory table, offering guests an engaging way to discover the botanicals within the gin that make Caorunn so distinctive. Guests will be able to engage with both the spent botanicals and individual essential oils, enjoying a rich, hands-on experience. Once guests have explored the key botanicals within this gin, they'll be invited to enjoy a complimentary Caorunn G&T, experiencing firsthand how these elements are harmoniously infused to create a refreshing and distinctive flavour, offering attendees a chance to savour a shared experience in the company of friends. Along the way, guests will also be able to take advantage of several photo opportunities, snapping pictures amidst the beautiful botanical décor and interactive moments that will allow guests to capture the spirit of World Gin Day. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Sarah McDonald, Brand Manager at Caorunn Gin said: ''We're so excited to welcome gin fans to our one-day Caorunn pop-up at Òran Mór for World Gin Day! Guests will be able to immerse themselves in the unique botanicals within our distinctively refreshing gin, while enjoying a complimentary G&T!' The Caorunn Gin & Tonic is more than just a drink; it's a vibrant, refreshingly delicious taste for gin lovers. The red apple garnish enhances the gin's distinctive notes, including coul blush apples, making it the ultimate summer sip. The Caorunn pop up at Òran Mór will be open from 12pm-5pm on the 14th of June – you won't want to miss this free event!
Scotsman
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Caorunn Gin paints Glasgow red ahead of World Gin Day
Enjoy a complimentary G&T at Glasgow's iconic Òran Mór venue on Saturday 14th June Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Caorunn, Scotland's handcrafted small-batch gin, has turned Glasgow's iconic Òran Mór venue red in celebration of World Gin Day on Saturday 14th June. To mark the occasion, Caorunn will be hosting an exclusive one-day pop-up at the venue in the city's west-end, which will be transformed into an immersive experience bathed in Carounn's striking signature brand colour, red. Visitors are invited to celebrate this day dedicated to all things gin in style with a complimentary Caorunn Gin & Tonic, served with the brand's signature red apple garnish, offering a refreshing taste of summer. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bringing the heart of the Highlands to the vibrant city of Glasgow, the reimagined bar will feature a host of interactive elements for gin fans to enjoy in true Caorunn fashion! Known for its refreshingly clean and crisp flavour, Caorunn is crafted using a unique blend of five handpicked Celtic botanicals and six traditional gin botanicals which are all expertly infused in the world's only working Copper Berry Chamber, a process that sets it apart from other gins and delivers its perfectly balanced, iconic flavour. Caorunn From the moment guests arrive, they'll be transported into the world of Caorunn. The experience will feature an immersive sensory table, offering guests an engaging way to discover the botanicals within the gin that make Caorunn so distinctive. Guests will be able to engage with both the spent botanicals and individual essential oils, enjoying a rich, hands-on experience. Once guests have explored the key botanicals within this gin, they'll be invited to enjoy a complimentary Caorunn G&T, experiencing firsthand how these elements are harmoniously infused to create a refreshing and distinctive flavour, offering attendees a chance to savour a shared experience in the company of friends. Along the way, guests will also be able to take advantage of several photo opportunities, snapping pictures amidst the beautiful botanical décor and interactive moments that will allow guests to capture the spirit of World Gin Day. Sarah McDonald, Brand Manager at Caorunn Gin said: ''We're so excited to welcome gin fans to our one-day Caorunn pop-up at Òran Mór for World Gin Day! Guests will be able to immerse themselves in the unique botanicals within our distinctively refreshing gin, while enjoying a complimentary G&T!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Caorunn Gin & Tonic is more than just a drink; it's a vibrant, refreshingly delicious taste for gin lovers. The red apple garnish enhances the gin's distinctive notes, including coul blush apples, making it the ultimate summer sip. Caorunn The Caorunn pop up at Òran Mór will be open from 12pm-5pm on the 14th of June – you won't want to miss this free event! For those who can't make it to the Òran Mór in Glasgow for World Gin Day, celebrate at home by making your own Caorunn Gin & Tonic. Caorunn Gin & Tonic
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Home Depot facing customer boycott after quietly rolling back DEI policy
Home Depot has enraged its customers, sparking calls for a boycott, after it decided to quietly axe a section of its website championing the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. The recently removed DEI page, which was live on the site as of March, read: 'We strive to ensure that our company culture maintains a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment so that we can attract and retain the best employees, amplify their unique experiences and ideas, and strengthen the communities where we operate.' The move follows President Donald Trump 's orders to axe DEI programs in the private and public sectors across the nation. While supporters have celebrated Trump's orders, they have been criticized by advocacy groups who say they might deepen inequities and undo decades of progress made to enshrine civil rights protections for marginalized groups. Since then, Home Depot has replaced its DEI page with a 'WeAreTHD' page that omits any mention of 'diversity, equity, and inclusion,' reports Retail Brew. In a statement to Retail Brew, spokesperson Sarah McDonald said: 'We're proud to have a culture that welcomes everyone, and we believe it helps us achieve our business goals.' 'We've been using 'WeAreTHD,' which is a slogan that represents the welcoming culture we've built here. We remain committed to our core values and the needs of our business, empowering associates, driving innovation, and enriching our communities,' she continued. Customers took to social media to vocalize their frustrations at the hardware store, with Blue Sky user, Greg Morosoff writing: 'Well, look at that. Home Depot seems to have done away with DEI also. They say some corporo babble, but, nothing about DEI. Another reason to boycott everything publicly traded, like, Home Depot.' Another, Lorie Kellogg, said, 'Well, we all know that [home improvement competitor] Lowe's is a blue company and Home Depot's a red company, so here we go.' Equally, a user who claimed to be an employee praised the company, saying it was 'a really great place to work' and that 'there's an entire app on the phones we're given to work around the store with that takes you to a browser page describing what DEI means and what DEI benefits Home Depot offers and supports, and that stuff'a important to me.' Trump supporters praised the move on X, with one user stating: 'Thank you for dropping #DEI. It was preposterous to have a DEI policy! Home Depot knows its customers should not have ever pushed for inclusion. Thank You Home Depot, for waking up.' The store has followed in the footsteps of other American businesses, like Target, which announced it would be rolling back DEI in late January. In March, a 40-day boycott was proposed against the big-box chain.
