LeBron James banner will stay up in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention
Sherwin-Williams made the announcement on Tuesday
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Your support makes all the difference.The popular 10-story tall banner of LeBron James hanging in downtown Cleveland will stay put.
Sherwin-Williams originally planned to temporarily remove the hometown hero from their building for the Republican National Convention, but after a 23,000 signature Change.org petition, the company has changed its tune.
“For 150 years, Sherwin-Williams has been proud to call Cleveland our home, and we’re committed to doing the right thing for the people of this great city," John Morikis, president and CEO of The Sherwin-Williams Company, said in a statement on Tuesday.
“For the last year, we’ve been planning to hang a celebratory banner outside our building during the summer months. But what better way to celebrate our 150th year than with a NBA championship. As a long-time supporter of the Cavs, and the entire community, we want the energy and excitement in this city to continue.”
Sherwin-Williams had planned to install a banner greeting Republicans that read: “This Land Is Our Land: 150 Years in Cleveland.”
James responded to the decision on his social media accounts. “Huge shoutout to Ohio’s own Sherwin-Williams,” James wrote on Facebook, “and a thank you to John Morikis and each of their 3,000 NEO employees. Wow, this is incredible.”
Blessed!! #StriveForGreatness #TheKidFromAkron #TheLand
A photo posted by LeBron James (@kingjames) on
The LeBron James banner, which measures up to 110 feet tall and 212 feet wide, was first installed by Nike and has seen several different versions. Sherwin-Williams also announced on Tuesday that they would be donating $150,000 to the LeBron James Foundation.
“We are so grateful to the Sherwin-Williams Company for their continued generosity to the Akron and Cleveland communities, and would like to congratulate them on their 150-year milestone," Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation said in a statement.
“This contribution to our kids will go a long way in helping us provide the resources and interventions necessary to keep our students in school and on the path to a college education."
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