Urban Outfitters pulls ‘blood-spattered’ Kent State sweat shirt
Clothing retailer Urban Outfitters apologized Monday morning after it received major backlash for trying to sell a “vintage” Kent State University sweat shirt that appeared to be covered in blood spatter.
The university was the scene of an infamous bloody demonstration in 1970, in which four students were killed and nine others injured after the National Guard fired on students who were protesting the Vietnam War.
The sweat shirt, which was listed on the company’s website for $129, was apparently part of its “Vintage Finds” collection, handpicked one-of-a-kind pieces.
Screenshots of the item published by BuzzFeed late Sunday show the university logo in white lettering on what looks like a blood-soaked background.
“Washed soft and perfectly broke in,” the description read. “We only have one, so get it or regret it!”
In a statement, the company said it “sincerely apologizes” if it offended anyone. “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 statement reads.
The company bought the one-of-a-kind item for its “sun-faded” collection, it says, and the discoloration and holes that look like blood spatter are from “natural wear and fray.”
The website says the item is “sold out,” but a company spokeswoman said the shirt has been removed from the website and has not been sold.
A person claiming to have successfully purchased the top has listed it for sale on EBay, with a starting bid of $550 and a promise that half of the profits will be donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center, “who protect those who cannot protect themselves, often those who are victims of police brutality.”
Social media users on Twitter and Facebook assailed the brand for marketing the item, many saying it was in extremely poor taste.
“Urban Outfitters are selling a ‘vintage’ Kent State jumper,” tweeted Cory Zanoni. “Nothing says ‘hip’ like murder.”
“Profoundly depressed to live in a reality where campus shootings get turned into a fashion statement,” Kent State professor Chris Rowan tweeted.
In a statement, the university blasted Urban Outfitters for going “beyond poor taste.”
“We take great offense to a company using our pain for their publicity and profit,” Kent State University officials said. “This item is beyond poor taste and trivializes a loss of life that still hurts the Kent State community today.”
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