An online retailer has been criticized for selling neo-Nazi attire similar to that worn by a protester at Wednesday's attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Images of a man wearing a hooded top with the words "Camp Auschwitz" printed on it appeared online as thousands of Trump supporters, far-right extremists and conspiracy theorists launched an attack on Congress while it attempted to certify the Electoral College vote in favor of Joe Biden.
The hooded top also features a skull and crossbones and the words "Work brings freedom"—an English translation of "Arbeit macht frei," the phrase displayed at the entrance of the Nazi concentration camp.
In a tweet condemning the top, medical historian and television presenter Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris wrote: "Someone not only wore this sweatshirt, but some company made it. We historians have a lot of work to do, it seems."
Fitzharris then urged people to follow the Auschwitz Memorial Twitter account, which commemorates the victims of the Holocaust.
In response, the Auschwitz Memorial tweeted that such garments were available to buy online from TeeChip.com—although they have now been removed from the site.
"Is selling and making profit from a product with such reference to the Auschwitz camp—a place of enormous human suffering caused by hateful ideology, where over 1.1 million people were murdered—acceptable?" the account tweeted.
"This is immoral, disrespectful & shameful."
.@TeeChipOfficial Is selling and making profit from a product with such reference to the Auschwitz camp - a place of enormous human suffering caused by hateful ideology, where over 1,1 million people were murdered - is acceptable? This is immoral, disrespectful & shameful. pic.twitter.com/V9gEdYHq3q
— Auschwitz Memorial (@AuschwitzMuseum) January 7, 2021
The hooded top, along with similar T-shirts, tank tops and sweatshirts, were "taken down for content reasons" by TeeChip on Thursday.
TeeChip has been contacted for comment.
It is not known where the protester purchased his hooded top.
Several Twitter users have condemned the man in the neo-Nazi top, as well as Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka's comments during the violence that several lawmakers have described as an attempted coup.
"Donald told the protesters he loved them, Ivanka called them American Patriots," tweeted @JustinAOtero. "One of these piglets is wearing a Camp Auschwitz hoodie, call them what they really are neo-Nazi terrorist scum."
Writer Dave King added: "Great news for the guy wearing a camp Auschwitz hoodie who tried to overthrow the government today: the president of the united states loves you!"
You had people in the Capitol that were very fine people, on both sides, including the guy with the Camp Auschwitz tshirt. pic.twitter.com/RGwWYxF4qi
— Bill Grueskin (@BGrueskin) January 7, 2021
I'll be sure to tell my 95-year-old grandmother, who survived the Nazi Concentration Camps...
— Jake Lobin (@JakeLobin) January 7, 2021
That Trump called the DOMESTIC TERRORISTS who invaded the Capitol "very special" & "loves them."
Including this POS wearing a Camp Auschwitz sweatshirt. pic.twitter.com/4TJCge2dYy
Last month TeeChip was also found to be selling T-shirts and other items with the phrase "6MWE"—a neo-Nazi term that stands for "6 million wasn't enough," a reference to the number of Jews murdered in the Holocaust.
The tops, which were also available on Amazon and TeeSpring, were removed from sale after images of a Proud Boys supporter wearing one at a rally in Washington were widely shared online.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Ewan Palmer is a Newsweek News Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on US politics, domestic policy ... Read more
