Amazon Asks MTA to Pull Ads With Nazi Symbols From Subway

Another complained: MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg tells the News that Amazon made a decision to pull the ads because of the furor.

Representatives for Amazon and its television production arm did not respond to requests for comment.

Half of the seats feature a Nazi American flag, in which a modified Reichsadler Eagle emblem occupies the space usually reserved for 50 stars.

NY City commuters are angry over subway trains decorated with Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan insignias.

However, on Tuesday Variety reported that Amazon was pulling the ads.

Amazon must’ve known these images would drum up some sort of controversy – considering we’re talking about the Statue of Liberty draped in Nazi flags and giving a Nazi salute, nestled amongst imperialist Japan flags. He wasn’t aware of any other previous subway ads that had contained such a potent and controversial historical reference, but added that “creative advertising people are always coming up with new ways to get attention for their products”. One Twitter user said although the symbols are “unpleasant”, Amazon has a First Amendment right to advertise the show as it pleases.

The MTA bans political and advocacy ads, but Ortiz explained in the email that since the symbols were part of a commercialized show, they were not under the same standards and could be run despite being in bad taste.

Initially, an MTA spokesman told Gothamist: “Unless you’re saying that you believe Amazon is advocating for a Nazi takeover of the United States, then it meets the standards”.

“The MTA could have allowed this show to be advertised without using such offensive insignias”.

‘The fact that the flag is spread across the seats only compounds the effect. Due to increased pressure from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the ads were pulled by Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The campaign was scheduled to end December 14.

The MTA said in April the new rules were meant to maintain “a safe and welcoming environment for all MTA employees and customers”.