Sears and Amazon.com have pulled a ring emblazoned with a swastika from their online stores after the Nazi-linked symbol sparked outrage on social media.
Sears apologized for the item on Tuesday and removed it from its catalogue. The company says the ring was a “third party marketplace item” that violated its guidelines.
The Sears Twitter account tweeted individual responses to swastika criticism Monday night and again on Tuesday morning.
Responding to one user who called the ring "disgusting," Sears tweeted: "This was a 3rd party Marketplace item that has since been removed for violating our guidelines. Thanks for your feedback."
The silver ring has a sideways black swastika etched into it, and was listed as a men’s punk rock fashion accessory online.
The item is no longer available on the Sears or Amazon websites, but a cached version of the Amazon webpage says the ring is made of .925 Thai silver and manufactured by CET Domain in Hong Kong.
“This gothic jewelry item in particular features a Swastika ring that’s made of .925 Thai silver,” the Amazon product description says. “Not for Neo Nazi or any Nazi implication. These jewelry items are going to make you look beautiful at your next dinner date.”
The Jewish parenting site Kveller brought attention to the ring Monday afternoon by posting the photo and Amazon product description online.
So @Sears is selling swastika rings online and promoting as "men's fashion" and "perfect for date night" - please tell me this is a joke
— nsalad (@nsalad) October 13, 2014
.@Sears Yeah, because Swastika rings are so unifying. #Boycott
— Anomaly (@Anomaly100) October 14, 2014
Just when we think we can let up, swastika rings r sold @amazon & @Sears. Shame. Blessed be.
— Leah Jewel Alexander (@leahjewel) October 14, 2014
