Halloween costumes offend Asians, pulled from stores  

美万圣节服饰涉嫌歧视亚裔被紧急叫停 已撤货

(ECNS) – The American home furnishing retailer "Pottery Barn" has withdrawn two Halloween costumes at the request of several Asian American civil rights groups, the US-based China Press reported.

The costumes are of a kimono and a sushi chef, triggering concerns over Asian stereotyping.

A spokesperson at Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAT) said there is no problem if the costumes are on sale normally, but it is inappropriate to sell them as Halloween costumes.

"We are not cartoon characters in stories, but human beings in reality, and we shouldn't be objects for people to dress up as," the spokesperson said.

AAAT, along with other Asian groups, sent a letter to Pottery Barn's president, demanding an "immediate removal" of the outfits and an apology.

The retailer confirmed late Monday that the items had been removed from the website. Leigh Oshirak, vice president of Williams-Sonoma, the parent company of Pottery Barn, has made an apology, according to the Los Angeles Times.

However, a costume featuring a Chinese take-out box can still be found on Amazon.