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In this photo of February 22, 2018, Dana Loesch, a spokesperson for the National Rifle Association, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland.(Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, AP)
A Rifle Association online show portrayed "Thomas & Friends" characters in white, Ku Klux Klan style hoods on burning rails, using a dubious image to increase diversity on a show TV for children.
Loesch, a conservative spokesman for the gun rights group, specifically named a new character – Nia, a Kenyan steam engine.
"It's where it's getting really strange for me," Loesch said during the Friday episode. "Do I have to understand all this time that Thomas and his trains were white? Because they all have gray faces.How do you bring ethnic diversity? I mean they had to paint this that they thought to be some kind of African motif on the side of Nia's engine. "
The program cut to an image with three trains wearing white hoods and burning tracks. "Right, I understand," said Loesch sarcastically. "Thomas the Tank Engine has been a bane on race relations for far too long, and it is clear that this is late."
The NRA did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
Mattel announced Friday that "Thomas & Friends", a Nick Jr. show, would add characters to his new season around the world and collaborate with the UN to promote his sustainability goals.
In the new season, Thomas will travel from his fictional home Sodor for the first time in the series to visit China, India and Australia, Mattel said. More female characters will also be represented, the company added.
"This change will reinforce the brand's commitment to girls who represent more than 40% of the series audience and convey a strong message of gender equality to young audiences," he said. Mattel in a statement.
Follow Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller
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