This archive report was first published on 3 July 2019.
On July 3, 2019, Nike announced the cancellation of its Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July sneaker, which featured a version of the American flag from the late 18th century.
The decision came after the company received a complaint from former NFL star Colin Kaepernick, who found the shoe offensive due to its ties to America's era of slavery.
Nike initially delivered the sneakers to retailers but asked them to return the shoes after the backlash.
The shoe was set to be released for $140 and featured a version of the American flag with 13 stars organized in a circle and 13 stripes, which was used in the United States from 1777 to 1795.
This is the second instance of Nike removing a product in recent days, following the company's decision to stop selling some products in China after a fashion designer's support for protests in Hong Kong sparked a social media backlash.
