The families of the late Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King JR. publicly condemned the usage of photos of the civil rights icons for a Trump campaign ad last Wednesday and Thursday. 

Sharon Robinson, Jackie Robinson’s daughter, stated on October 8th, “We’re insulted and demand that his image be removed!” 

The ad triggered a series of tweets from both the families of Robinson and King, demonstrating their disapproval of the situation. Martin Luther King’s daughter, Bernice King, tweeted at President Trump last Wednesday, stating, “I find President Trump’s use of my father’s image in his political ad beyond insulting and not reflective of #MLK’s commitment to creating the #BelovedCommunity. My father should not be used in ways strongly misaligned with his vision and values.”

On the following Thursday, Sharon Robinson also shared her thoughts on the issue, sharing a similar attitude as King’s daughter Bernice. Robinson went on to tweet, “Jackie Robinson’s family strongly objects to the use of Jackie Robinson’s image in a Donald Trump [ad]. The Trump campaign is in opposition to all that Jackie Robinson stood for and believed in.”

The campaign ad in question, titled, “Say What You Will About America,” displayed the images of both Robinson and King while commending American nationalism. 

“My father was working for an America with leaders who have answered the call to conscience and compassionate action. He said, ‘We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice. Not in love with publicity but in love with humanity’” Bernice King, CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, said. “America needs this type of leader NOW.”

The Trump campaign has yet to make a comment regarding the statements made by both families.