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Blazers won’t end relationship with company supplying Israeli military

By Matt George Moore

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 23: Shirts and Hats laid on fans seats before game between LA Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2016 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 23: Shirts and Hats laid on fans seats before game between LA Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2016 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Despite protests, the Portland Trail Blazers organization says its relationship with a local company will continue.

The Portland Trail Blazers have responded to a demand that they sever ties with Leupold & Stevens, a Beaverton-based company that manufactures telescopic sights used by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Their answer: No.

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In a statement published on OregonLive, the Blazers organization said their “agreement is primarily with the Leupold & Stevens consumer products division for sporting optics and binoculars.” They also “welcome (Leupold & Stevens’) continued support of our nightly in-game salute to the bravery, sacrifice and heroism of our military, retired military and first responders.”

Leupold & Stevens also does business with the United States military, including a $42.8 million contract with the U.S. Navy.

Blazers and ‘Hometown Heroes’

Leupold & Stevens, founded in 1907, participates in “Hometown Heroes,” which is promoted on the Blazers website as a way “to recognize heroes in our community. Whether it’s the brave men and women of our armed forces, first responders, or everyday heroes who put service before self.”

Honorees receive free tickets to a Blazers game, a gift and “in-game recognition.”

Protest

A coalition of protesters, including Portland Democratic Socialists of America and the Portland chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, have asked the franchise to end its partnership “with a company that is complicit in the occupation of Palestine and the continued brutalization of Palestinians.”

They also planned to hold a press conference last Saturday during the Rip City 3 on 3 basketball tournament.

According to the IsraelDefense website, “the IDF Ground Arm selected the Leupold Mark-6 telescope to be issued to all the ground forces snipers and other relevant sniping systems (infantry, SWAT, long range, etc.).”

Responses

As reported on OregonLive, Olivia Katbi Smith, the co-chairwoman of Portland Democratic Socialists of America, argues that it is “unacceptable for our hometown team to promote a company which provides sniper scopes to the IDF, a murderous death squad that upholds apartheid through continuous brutalization of Palestinians.”

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Leupold & Stevens, whom President Trump chose as Oregon’s representative for a “Made In America” campaign, doesn’t see it that way.

According to OregonLive, the company says that it is “not a military or political organization” or “a weapons manufacturer.”