The "vintage Kent State" sweatshirt is for sale in the women's section of the Urban Outfitters' website.
It can be found through a quick search on the website:
The sweatshirt description reads: "Washed soft and perfectly broken in, this vintage Kent State sweatshirt is cut in a loose, slouchy fit. Excellent vintage condition. We only have one, so get it or regret it!"
On May 4, 1970, four students were killed and nine other people were wounded on the Ohio university campus after an Army National Guard Unit fired on students protesting the Vietnam War. In response to the incident, Neil Young composed the song "Ohio," which was performed by his band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
People took to Twitter to point out the comparison:
Urban Outfitters explores the outer reaches of bad taste. http://t.co/gxQnWAvCuS
urban outfitters is pure garbage: selling a kent state sweatshirt w/ blood spatter http://t.co/CWCyf9rVsm
Urban Outfitters are selling a “vintage” Kent State jumper, blood splatters and all. Nothing says “hip” like murder.
And to tell Urban Outfitters the sweatshirt was not cool:
Yet another reason to boycott @UrbanOutfitters they're selling a vintage blood spattered kent state sweatshirt
@UrbanOutfitters are you serious w/that Kent State sweatshirt? It is appalling to think that someone at your company thought that was cool.
Urban Outfitters has pulled clothing and other products in the past after receiving criticism for offensive content.
Update — Sept. 15, 2:15 a.m. ET: The Urban Outfitters website now says the sweatshirt is sold out.
Update — Sept. 15 10:13 a.m. ET: Urban Outfitters apologized for "any offense" the sweatshirt caused. The company said it had not been "altered in any way." The stains, it said, were due to "discoloration" 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
Update — Sept. 15 10:59 a.m. ET: Kent State University issued the following statement about the sweatshirt, saying they take "great offense":
May 4, 1970, was a watershed moment for the country and especially the Kent State family. We lost four students that day while nine others were wounded and countless others were changed forever.
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.
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.