Urban Outfitters Pulls a Controversial Sweater That Some Say Reference the Infamous Shooting at Kent State University

Urban Outfitters is in hot water after selling faux-vintage Kent State sweatshirt that features fake blood stains.

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Complex Original

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Urban Outfitters is in hot water after selling a faux-vintage Kent State sweatshirt that featured what looked like fake blood stains. To many, the piece appears to be a reference to the May 4, 1970 shootings at the college, in which four unarmed students were killed by Ohio National Guardsmen during a Vietnam War protest. 

The item quickly sold out, being that there was only one available, but not before causing a shit storm of controversy on social media. This isn't the first time the retailer has upset people for what's been deemed insensitive clothing designs, having sold items in the past that make light of serious issues such as depression, drug abuse, and eating disorders. 

Urban Outfitters has apologized for the shirt, tweeting "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." 

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Despite the apology, people are still pissed, especially with the shooting of Mike Brown, and the tragedies of Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, and numerous other school shootings still fresh in our collective memory. 

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Do you think this was an honest mistake? Or are people right in being angry with Urban Outfitters for letting this garment make it to stores?

[via People]

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