So, here’s the deal. Team USA has been disqualified from the World Snow Sculpture Championship in Minnesota, and it all revolves around a sculpture that took on an unexpected political twist.
The team was accused of modifying their sculpture to include hands that spelled out phrases like “ICE out,” “unity,” and “resistance” in American Sign Language. According to officials, this alteration breached the competition’s rules, as noted by the president of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, Robin Anthony Evenso.
Evenso mentioned that the team was aware of the competition’s regulations and that there had been multiple complaints concerning their piece, which was titled “Call to Arms.”
Dusty Tune, the captain of Team USA, explained that these design changes occurred on January 14, the first day of the event. This was just a week after the tragic shooting of Renee Macklin Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
In the words of Team USA, “In an increasingly divided world, we all have an equal responsibility to do our part to maintain unity.” This statement reflects their aim for the sculpture, as described on the tournament’s website.
The term “call to arms” typically refers to a call for action, especially during periods of crisis or conflict. It’s about rallying people for a common cause, which the team asserted connects to the vitality of democracy and society for future generations.
World Snow Celebration officials realized the changes to the sculpture after the judging had concluded. The event featured 16 international teams.
They highlighted that the competition guidelines require sculptures to adhere to cultural and social norms, steering clear of subjects that could be seen as offensive or politically charged.
“The U.S. team’s sculpture included gestures that didn’t comply with the established rules,” the officials stated.
The disqualified team didn’t earn any awards, while the Canadian contestants took home the top prize.
Tune further added that the team’s intention wasn’t necessarily to embed any political messages aside from symbols of peace, love, and unity.
They faced challenges early on, discovering that the snow blocks were less compacted and littered with debris, prompting some last-minute alterations to their design.
“We decided to emphasize larger hands with shorter arms to adapt,” Tune remarked. “The medium sometimes dictates the outcome.”
He also suggested that external events could influence the final appearance of a piece.
Evenso pointed out that some of the hand signs were removed on January 19 once anti-ICE elements were identified, admitting that they should have taken action sooner.
“Looking back, we should have acted immediately,” she said. “We were trying to handle things delicately.”
