Urban Outfitters has apologized for selling a faux-vintage Kent State University shirt that appeared to have blood spatter on it, reminding many of the tragedy that occurred on the campus in 1970.
Gawker reported that the company issued a statement of apology on Monday morning, denying accusations on Twitter that the shirt was meant to provoke associations with the Kent State shootings that left four dead.
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"Urban Outfitters sincerely apologizes for any offense our Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt may have caused," the statement began.
"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."
Four unarmed Kent State students were killed by Ohio National Guardsmen during a Vietnam War protest on May 4, 1970, in what is sometimes referred to as the "Kent State Massacre." Many thought that the shirt was an attempt to create an edgy commercial product that alluded to the killings.
Kent State administrators were among those who thought the shirt was attempting to profit off the tragedy. The university issued a statement condemning the sweatshirt, and inviting people to learn more about what happened in 1970.
"We take great offense to a company using our pain for their publicity and profit. This item is beyond poor taste and trivializes a loss of life that still hurts the Kent State community today," read part of the statement.
"We invite the leaders of this company as well as anyone who invested in this item to tour our May 4 Visitors Center, which opened two year ago, to gain perspective on what happened 44 years ago and apply its meaning to the future."
After Urban Outfitters pulled the sweatshirt (the product page read "Sold Out"),
People magazine noticed that a patron who'd successfully gotten their hands on the item was trying to sell it on eBay for $550. The auction ended Monday with zero bids.
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