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The White House is defending President Donald Trump’s call for the boycott of Goodyear. (Aug. 19)

AP Domestic

AKRON, Ohio – Akron-area leaders and residents Wednesday lit up Twitter responding to President Donald Trump’s tweet urging people to stop buying Goodyear tires.

Trump lashed out against the tire maker – with headquarters in Akron – after a local TV news station in Kansas reported that Goodyear banned workplace political campaigning for any parties or candidates. According to the report, the ban extended to Trump’s Make America Great Again slogan, which is often emblazoned on hats.

The same news story noted that Goodyear is allowing its associates to express support for issues involving racial injustice and equity issues, like LGBTQ rights.

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On Wednesday, following the president’s Tweet, Goodyear said a slide shown in the Kansas television news report was not from or distributed by the corporation and was not part of employee training.

“To be clear on our longstanding corporate policy, Goodyear has zero tolerance for any forms of harassment or discrimination,” Goodyear tweeted. “To enable a work environment free of those, we ask that associates refrain from workplace expressions in support of political campaigning for any candidate or political party, as well as similar forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues.”

Some Akronites on Wednesday morning used Twitter to defend Goodyear, many even before Goodyear publicly began to defend itself.

James Hardy, Akron’s deputy mayor for integrated development, said he was “beyond proud” that Goodyear was in Akron, his hometown.

“They care about our community, and stayed put when so many companies did not,” Hardy tweeted. “We are the #RubberCity Mr. President. And we stick together.”

The Akron-Summit County Public Library remained neutral on Twitter, but did remind its its 6,972 Twitter followers that the city of Akron is soon installing a rubber worker statue by sculptor Alan Cottrill on the new downtown roundabout.

“This project celebrates the remarkable people that distinguished Akron as the Rubber Capital of the World,” the library’s tweet said.

Next month, the City of Akron will install a rubber worker statue by sculptor Alan Cottrill on the new downtown roundabout. This project celebrates the remarkable people that distinguished Akron as the Rubber Capital of the World. https://t.co/gIkhNIzfBY#RubberCity#BlimpCitypic.twitter.com/JVcPjMq4ov

— Akron-Summit County Public Library (@akronlibrary) August 19, 2020

Here’s what some others in and around Akron had to say on Twitter Wednesday:

Goodyear has believed in this community for generations, investing in the power, tenacity and honest people of the heartland, which is more than we can say for this president. #WeStandWithGoodyear pic.twitter.com/0bM8Xax018

— City of Akron, Ohio (@AkronOhioMayor) August 19, 2020

— LoganJennings (@Jennings_LoganD) August 19, 2020

Unlike the President who was given everything, Akron EARNED its spot as the rubber capital. Its economy grew from the efficient production of goods & services demanded by consumers – not by politicians picking winners & losers. A boycott will be short-lived – like his Presidency. pic.twitter.com/Djq5ooQdwK

— Amanda Weinstein (@ProfWeinstein) August 19, 2020

Please note, over 60,000 people are employed by Goodyear.

30+mm Americans are currently without jobs & @realDonaldTrump– The President of the United States gave his 85.3MM followers intructions that would do harm to a company founded 121 years ago in Akron, Ohio https://t.co/nQ7l1DH3MK

— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) August 19, 2020

@SRuhle I live one town over from Akron. I WAS on Akron for 35 yrs but the town has been deteriorating. Trump is trying to finish off, a city that is already struggling. My step dad retired from Goodyear 15 yrs ago.

— Jo Anne Roberts (@HelenaofTroy60) August 19, 2020

Keep in mind, this is a President who spent years making his own Trump-branded products overseas.

He failed to stand up for workers in Lordstown, and now he betrays the workers in Akron.

— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) August 19, 2020

This is a great move by Goodyear. I love the separation of political and social. The folks considering it discriminatory are likely those against the important human rights issues to begin with. https://t.co/el9vVdf5aK

— Vicky Croisant (@theatrepenguin7) August 19, 2020

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2020/08/19/trump-twitter-attack-evokes-responses-goodyears-akron-ohio-home/5610882002/