Blake Hall
The American Legion is formally asking presidential candidate Bernie Sanders to ‘cease and desist’ using its emblem on campaign materials.
According to the American Legion constitution, the group and its officers are banned from publicly endorsing any political candidates or parties. This means that no presidential hopefuls from either side of the political spectrum can use its logos or branding on their campaign fliers and information.
However, since Jan. 22 the American Legion has complained twice of the Sanders campaign attaching its emblem to fliers. In a Feb. 1 letter obtained by the Associated Press, the organization threatened that “any further communication about it will be through our trademark attorney in the appropriate forum.”
But it’s not just the use of the American Legion logo that is the issue. At least one member of the organization has seen his image used in Sanders’ campaign promotions without his consent.
American Legion state officer Tom Wiley was concerned when his superior questioned him about supporting Bernie Sanders. Wiley, who lives in New Hampshire, told Valley News that he is campaigning for a higher position in the organization and can’t risk violating its bylaws by endorsing any candidates.
It was with shock and dismay that Wiley discovered that his image was used in a Sanders flier and distributed throughout his state. On the flier, Wiley is wearing his white American Legion hat.
“I said, ‘oh my God,’ ” said Wiley. “I went out to the mailbox that day, and my flier was in there. It was addressed to my wife, not to me.”
The original photograph was taken at an American Legion event on Veterans Day that featured Sanders as a keynote speaker, but only because the candidate promised not to make any partisan remarks. While the event went smoothly, neither Wiley nor any of his fellow Legion officers realized their images might be used months later without their knowledge.
Aside from light “ribbing” from fellow officers, Wiley will not be punished by the Legion.