After a rash of angry complaints online over Memorial Day weekend, clothing retailer PacSun announced that it has stopped selling a T-shirt depicting an upside-down American flag.
The $24 shirt, part of a clothing line with rapper A$AP Rocky, was being sold online and at certain retail stores. It spawned the hashtag #BoycottPacSun online and numerous angry comments on the company's Facebook page from shoppers who felt it was disrespectful.
"As a retailer grounded in youth culture, PacSun values artistic and creative expression through the brands that we sell in our stores,'' the company said in a statement. "Out of respect for those who have put their lives on the line for our country, we have decided to stop selling the licensed flag T-shirt and are removing it from our stores and website immediately. We thank the men and women in uniform for their extraordinary service."
Flags are only supposed to be flown upside down in instances of extreme danger to life or property, according to the U.S. Flag Code.