Urban Outfitters produced a “Vintage Kent State sweatshirt” — complete with simulated blood spatter — in a tasteless homage to the 1970 killings of four anti-war demonstrators on the Ohio campus.
The $129 light red pullover is embossed with a Kent State logo surrounded by drops of blood splattered on the right shoulder, right armpit and stomach.
The shirt, which Buzzfeed first reported on Monday, has since been taken off the Urban Outfitters website and listed as: “Kent State Vintage Sweatshirt Sold Out.”
Four students were killed and nine others injured May 4, 1970, when the Army National Guard opened fire on anti-Vietnam War protesters.
Dean Kahler, who was a freshman at Kent State during the shooting and was struck with a bullet that left him a paraplegic, said his first reaction to the sweatshirt was disgust.
“It’s just a new low for Madison Avenue and these companies to grab a moment of fame at the cost of denigrating the memory of four students that were killed at Kent State University, which is truly an appalling situation,” Kahler, now 64, told The Post.
A Kent State rep said the school was offended by the vile shirt.
“We take great offense to a company using our pain for their publicity and profit,” university spokesman Eric Mansfield said.
“This item is beyond poor taste and trivializes a loss of life that still hurts the Kent State community today.”
Incredibly, Urban Outfitters said its Kent State shirt just happened to look like it had blood on it.
“Urban Outfitters sincerely apologizes for any offense our Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt may have caused,” according to the company’s apology.
“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 company said.
“The red stains are discoloration from the original shade of the shirt and the holes are from natural wear and fray. Again, we deeply regret that this item was perceived negatively and we have removed it immediately from our website to avoid further upset.”
But Kahler doesn’t believe the design was a mistake.
“They obviously are trying to cover their a– and try to get out of this with the least amount of bad publicity as they can,” he said. “It seems as though they stepped into a pile of manure and don’t know how to get it off their shoe without touching it.”
At least one of the offensive shirts made it to eBay before being taken down.
Its starting price was $550 — and bidding had reached $2,500 — before the item was removed.
“This is a listing for the infamous one of a kind Kent State Sweater,” seller “kentstatesweater” wrote.
“I ordered it and am waiting myself, as soon as it arrives, I’ll ship it to you. Perfect for Halloween or whatever your deal is.”
The seller promised to give 50 percent of profits “to The Southern Poverty Law Center, who protect those who cannot protect themselves, often those who are victims of police brutality.”
“I will forward the confirmation email from Urban Outfitters to SERIOUS BIDDERS and send the donation receipt once I get paid,” the seller said.
Urban Outfitters is no stranger to controversy or tasteless campaigns.
Earlier this year, the chain gave out pens shaped like heroine-shooting hypodermic needles to hype its new hair salon. The words “I love Hairroin” were written on the pens.
Last year, Urban Outfitters also came out with shot glasses made to look like prescription-pill bottles, having a laugh at Americans addicted to pharmaceuticals.
In 2010, it produced a ladies V-neck t-shirt with the words “Eat Less” on the front, without regard for the millions who struggle with eating disorders.