Event to Go On Despite Accusations of Racism

An event at the Diamond Stadium accused of having racist undertones will go as planned, the Storm officials said.

The promotion, called "," uses a maniacal-looking caricature of Charlie Sheen wearing a sombrero in ads for its Cinco de Mayo celebration.

The event includes $1 beers and sodas until 9 p.m. or the end of the seventh inning, whichever comes first, according to the Storm.

It also includes "Tiger's Blood" drink specials, a "two-for-one" Ho Hos special, a "Wild Thing" glasses giveaway, a limited-edition Charlie Sheen-co de Mayo bobble-head giveaway and a taco-eating contest.

The Sheen spoof offended some, including the Inland Empire Council of the League of United Latin American Citizens, a local Latino organization, and a couple Lake Elsinore City Council members.

The Storm meant no disrespect to Latinos or any other social group, Storm Director of Media Relations Steve Smaldone said. It was simply a promotional idea meant to attract fans on what can be a slow night at the ballpark in May.

Sheen, whose given last name is Estevez, is of Latino descent. His publicist did not ask the Storm to pull the promotion or respond in any other way.

, as the country's independence day is celebrated on September 15. Cinco de Mayo celebrates a battle against the French that took place in Puebla, Mexico in 1862. Over the years, Cinco de Mayo has morphed into a holiday that allows Mexican-Americans to celebrate their heritage.

Smaldone said they have received “a few emails” saying the promotion is insensitive, but the resounding sentiment has been positive. This from a Lake Elsinore fan base that Smaldone said includes a large Latino population.

Peter Surowski contributed to this report.