mascot in a 2019 vote of the NHL Players' Association. Gritty was reappropriated as a leftist icon, as activists identified with the mascot's "cheerful, unkempt, maniacal demeanor", and googly-eyed, anarchic mirth. Gritty appeared on a Philadelphia anti-Trump protest banner a week after his debut and was spread through leftist online forums and Internet meme groups, which depicted Gritty with themes of anti-capitalism, socialism, and anti-fascism. Philadelphia City Council member Helen Gym described the Trump vs. Gritty phenomenon as "one orange horror has been met with another." When Philadelphia played an important role in determining the 2020 United States presidential election, social media users depicted Gritty, as the city personified, defeating outgoing incumbent Donald Trump. References Further reading External links Fictional monsters Philadelphia Flyers National Hockey League team mascots Sports mascots in the United States Mascots introduced in 2018 2018 establishments in Pennsylvania