From the retail industry site Footwear News:
Sears and Kmart took down a listing for a T-shirt reading “Ashli Babbitt American Patriot” in response to online backlash. Babbitt has been cast as a right-wing martyr in the months since she was shot and killed by a Capitol Police officer as she tried to enter the building with a crowd of rioters on January 6.
On Twitter, where Vox journalist Aaron Rupar called attention to the listings yesterday, users condemned the retailers for promoting a product praising Babbitt’s actions at the Capitol. Within hours, however, the links led to 404 error pages and Sears had responded with a message confirming the product was no longer available for sale.
Online retailers, especially Amazon, have long battled inappropriate items offered by third-party sellers who can upload their wares with little oversight. Unlike Amazon, Target’s third-party vendors are invite only.
.@Sears (https://t.co/VTWoZlm95W) and @Kmart (https://t.co/lZolqc38ga) are selling Ashli Babbitt “American Patriot” shirts pic.twitter.com/CYx3dVINfB
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 6, 2021
Thank you for bringing this product to our attention. This item is no longer available for purchase on https://t.co/X2bSIlvdyK or https://t.co/XcgrhIoktX.
— Sears (@Sears) July 6, 2021