Converse Removes Ad After Accusations of Racist Imagery Resurfacing KKK Lynching References

Converse pulls ad after backlash over alleged KKK and lynching imagery. Fans and critics condemn campaign as racist.

September 20, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — City, Country — Converse has removed a sneaker advertisement following widespread criticism over its visual elements, which some viewers likened to symbols of the Ku Klux Klan and historical lynchings.

The ad, part of the brand’s global promotion for the Chuck 70 X sneaker, featured K-pop star Karina from Aespa under a star-shaped spotlight, holding black high-top sneakers. The lighting created a silhouette that many social media users interpreted as resembling a KKK hood, with the dangling shoes evoking comparisons to a lynching victim.

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In response, Converse, a subsidiary of Nike, issued an apology, stating, “We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognize that we got this wrong. We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared.” The backlash also reignited discussions about a previous Converse campaign featuring sneakers hanging from a tree, sparking further concerns about the brand’s visual messaging.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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