WASHINGTON — Clothing firm PacSun received some heat over a display of one of the company’s T-shirts bearing an upside down American flag. A Memorial Day backlash on social media and shopper complaints in stores prompted the apparel giant to remove the item from its shelves.
In a Facebook statement Monday, the Southern California apparel giant says it decided to immediately stop selling the garment “out of respect” for members of the armed forces.
The announcement came after images of the garment were repeatedly posted on the social networking website, with people calling it “disgusting” and “disrespectful.” It also trended on Twitter under the #BoycottPacSun hashtag.
Reaction to the removed item was divisive as well. Some say the company should not have sold the T-shirt in the first place. Others were unhappy the company withdrew it, complaining the decision violated free speech.
