Urban Outfitters offended customers with its “vintage” Kent State University sweatshirt. The washed-out, red sweatshirt evoked memories of the 1970 tragedy that left four university students dead.
“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 clothing outlet wrote in a statement on Twitter. The item has been removed from its website “to avoid further upset.”
The Kent State massacre occurred on May 4, 1970 when the Ohio National Guard fired upon unarmed college students. The soldiers shot 67 rounds for 13 seconds, killing four and injuring nine. The students were protesting President Richard Nixon’s decision to expand U.S. military operations into Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
Urban Outfitters claims the red, blood-like stains were due to “discoloration from the original shade of the shirt and the holes are from the natural wear and fray.”
The company advertised the sweatshirt as a one-of-kind original, Buzzfeed first pointed out. “So get it or regret!” the description read on the website. No actual blood appeared on the sweatshirt, and it hadn’t been altered.
The Ohio institution’s actual school colors are blue and gold. The red sweatshirt was part of Urban Outfitters' sun-faded vintage collection.
Clothing retailer Zara had a similar misunderstanding last month with a shirt that resembled a Holocaust uniform. A gold “sheriff” badge imprinted on the long-sleeve shirt looked like the Star of David that all Jewish people were required to wear in Nazi-occupied territory. The stripes reminded some of the prison camp garb used during the Holocaust.
Zara pulled the shirt from its inventory.
