Urban Outfitters Apologise for ‘Distasteful’ Sweatshirt

Urban Outfitters have today apologised after a sweatshirt they were retailing caused massive controversy on social media. The brand sparked outrage across social media this weekend when they retailed a Kent State University sweatshirt which was splattered with red colouring that appeared to look like blood, although the store later denied the allegations. The jumper seemed to be referencing the killing of four students, by the Army National Guard in 1970, who were protesting the Vietnam War. According to The Huffington Post, the item (priced at $129) was sold out on the store’s website this morning. However it now appears to have been removed from the online store.

I am so offended & disgusted that @UrbanOutfitters thought this sweatshirt was acceptable and actually a good idea pic.twitter.com/VLpvH1wscE — haley kilar (@haykillller) September 15, 2014  

Kent State were quick to respond to the offensive garment, stating: “This item is beyond poor taste and trivializes a loss of life that still hurts the Kent State community today.” Urban Outfitters have since apologised for the sweatshirt: “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… 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.”  

Urban Outfitters sincerely apologizes for any offense our Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt may have caused. It (cont) http://t.co/o3oKyPJFu8 — Urban Outfitters (@UrbanOutfitters) September 15, 2014