PacSunA shirt from the A$AP Rocky clothing line drew the ire of many people over the Internet when it was displayed in an Alabama PacSun on Memorial Day weekend.
A controversial T-shirt design featuring an upside-down American flag was removed from an Alabama store after a complaint from a customer went viral on Facebook.
An employee with the Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc. location at the Tanger Outlets in Foley, Ala., told the Daily News Monday a black A$AP Rocky-designed shirt was removed from the business after they received a complaint from a customer. The employee declined further comment and referred questions to the company's corporate office, which was unavailable for comment Monday.
The shirt was displayed prominently in the business much to the disgust of Florida resident Rachel Zawacki-Kuss, who posted a picture on her social media page.
"Saw this at your location at Tanger Outlets this morning in Foley, Alabama. I understand freedom of speech but this shirt, displayed prominently at the entrance of your store, for Memorial Day weekend is more distasteful and disrespectful than anything I thought I'd see. I will not be shopping at PacSun again," she wrote.
The message received nearly 5,000 shares and generated a lot of disgust over the Internet.
Zawacki-Kuss did not return a message seeking comment but wrote on Sunday she wanted the company to understand Memorial Day is meant to honor military members who have died.
"It was not the ideal time to bring that shirt front and center," she wrote. "The American Flag is a symbol of freedom that they fought and died for. Seeing the flag used that way was incredibly upsetting to me.
The display was in bad taste, it was disrespectful and insensitive to the sacrifices that have been made by so many service members."
The American flag is only supposed to be flown upside-down as a signal of dire distress.
The company's Facebook page has been filled with angry people posting the viral picture on their Timeline with comments like "disgusting," "disrespectful" and "cowardly."
"I'd like to kick off this weekend by kicking anyone who shops at PacSun in the face. Absolutely insulting... especially on Memorial Day. Myself, and my family will never shop here again. I think a public apology is in order," wrote one poster.
The company has not publicly addressed the controversy. They are however celebrating the holiday by offering 50 percent off deals on select brands.
They also promoted their "red, white and blue" clothing selection on Facebook Friday as they were being inundated with the complaints.
The link includes the controversial shirt from the clothing line by the American rapper that the store promises will bring "some serious style into your wardrobe."
And complaints from your customers.
jlandau@nydailynews.com