Urban Outfitters, the clothing manufacturer and hipster closet-filler has selling a "Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt" featured the words "Kent State University" and red splotches of paint that closely resembled blood stains. The shirt also had several holes in it.
It's a clear reference to the 1970 killing of four students protesting the Vietnam War by the Army National Guard at the Ohio school.
The "vintage Kent State Sweatshirt" had initially been listed for sale on the Urban Outfitters website for $129. As of early this morning, the company has since removed the clothing item from its website - Urban Outfitters website said the item was sold out.
The university issued a statement on Monday, saying that it was greatly offended that Urban Outfitters would use the "watershed moment" for its "publicity and profit."
This item is beyond poor taste and trivializes a loss of life that still hurts the Kent State community today.
The sweatshirt provoked many angry reactions on social media.
To avoid further upset, Urban Outfitters also issued a statement Monday, apologizing for any offence the sweatshirt may have caused. It claims that it never meant to reference the school shooting.
To avoid further upset, Urban Outfitters also issued a statement Monday, apologizing for any offence the sweatshirt may have caused. It claims that it never meant to reference the school shooting.
Urban Outfitters sincerely apologizes for any offense our Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt may have caused. It was never our intention to allude to the tragic events that took place at Kent State in 1970 and we are extremely saddened that this item was perceived as such. The one-of-a-kind item was purchased as part of our sun-faded vintage collection. There is no blood on this shirt nor has this item been altered in any way. The red stains are discoloration from the original shade of the shirt and the holes are from natural wear and fray. Again, we deeply regret that this item was perceived negatively and we have removed it immediately from our website to avoid further upset.
