A soda display at a Florida Walmart fashioned to commemorate 9/11 and look like the Twin Towers has drawn divisive responses from social media and local residents.
Set up under a banner that read “We Will Never Forget,” emblazoned with both the Walmart and Coca-Cola logos, stacks of soda cases were used to create an American flag and Twin Towers mosaic.
One shopper at the Panama City Beach location told WJHG that she found it offensive.
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“Those people died and I don’t think you should be exploiting it with an advertisement. I don’t think that’s right,” she said.
Others saw it as an important reminder of the tragic events 15 years ago.
“It’s something that was terrible that happened to us in our country. We should not hide it or be offended by it,” said one woman.
“Anything that’s patriotic is fine. No matter whether it’s selling something or doesn’t. It’s telling people, to remind people to think of America, America first,” said a man.
On social media, opinions were just as divided.
Coca-Cola and Walmart have since apologized for the display, saying it was intended to support the local firefighting department’s upcoming event.
A Walmart spokesperson said in a statement:
“We hold this moment in our country’s history in the highest regard, and there was nothing disrespectful intended by the display being assembled. It was removed from our Florida store Wednesday.”
Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.