Woodstock blasts Trump over RNC logo

Woodstock promoter Woodstock Ventures has taken the US Republican Party to task over its 2016 National Convention logo, which it says is “strikingly reminiscent” of the dove-and-guitar emblem of the landmark 1969 festival.

Taking a potshot at presumptive presidential nominee Donald Trump, Michael Lang, co-founder of Woodstock Ventures and one of the co-producers of the festival, says: “Since Woodstock stands for world community, Woodstock does not endorse building walls between nations. Woodstock stands for equal rights, so we do not endorse prejudice or discrimination. Woodstock stands for equal opportunity for all of us, so we do not support tilting the playing field to favour a privileged few.

“If these principles, which Woodstock does not endorse, turn out to be the principles that make up the GOP [‘Grand Old Party’, a nickname for the Republicans] platform, then our logo designs would be the only thing we have in common.”

“Since Woodstock stands for world community, Woodstock does not endorse building walls between nations”

The Woodstock festival logo features a dove perched on the neck of a guitar, while that of the 2016 Republican National Convention (RNC), held from 18 to 21 July at the Quicken Loans Arena (20,562-cap.) in Cleveland, Ohio, appears to show an elephant (the party emblem) trampling on one.

Both Lang and fellow co-founder Joel Rosenman have appealed to those attending the convention to “respect the values” underlying the logo. “If you’re going to evoke our logo, please also evoke our values and support the changes in society that Woodstock has energised over the years,” says a joint statement. “We have more in common than what sometimes seems to be driving us apart. Do your best to make sure the RNC is moving toward a better world for all.”

Lang revealed in February that Woodstock will return in 2019.

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