Urban Outfitters Sparks Controversy With Offensive Kent State Sweatshirt

KENT, Ohio (KDKA) - Kent State officials are calling out a major Ohio retailer for their vintage-style sweatshirt saying it's offensive and way beyond poor taste.

Many people wondered if Urban Outfitters' Kent State sweatshirt, which appeared to be covered in bloodstains, was a joke.

If it was, no one is finding it funny. In fact, most people KDKA talked to found it distasteful.

"I think they'll do anything to sell nowadays, it's a shame," Greg Savikas said.

"Just looks it disrespectful to me. It was a tragedy that happened there, and they're just making light of the situation it seems like," college student Ryan Matzie said.

An employee at the Southside Works Urban Outfitters said they never planned on selling the sweatshirts, and with the controversy they have been pulled offline as well.

Urban Outfitters released a statement saying, "It was never our intention to allude to the tragic events that took place... 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."

Kent State officials along with many students say they were shocked that the retailer was making money off of a tragedy.

The University released a statement saying, "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."

On May 4, 1970, four students who were protesting the Vietnam War were killed on campus. They died after 67 shots were fired by the National Guard.

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