School board bans 'violent' clothing line

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- A suburban Vancouver, British Columbia, school board has banned a line of clothing, alleging images on it promote gang violence, Canadian officials say.

The Surrey school board said hoodies and shirts manufactured locally by Ephin Apparel were inappropriate in schools for imagery that features crossed baseball bats, a balaclava and the words "Killaz" or "Stompdown," The Vancouver Sun reported Tuesday.

Surrey school district spokesman Doug Strachan said the design and associated message are clearly associated with two local Web sites that promote urban graffiti and the violent side of hip-hop culture.

"There are a number of items there that would be difficult not to construe ... as promoting illegal activity and to violence," Strachan told the Sun.

The 27-year-old owner of the clothing company, Ryan Wiese, said he thought it was "quite hilarious" his line was banned by the board and predicted it would backfire.

"I know what happens when you ban something -- you make it more popular," he said.