Description:

Young Croats in Australia were offended when the stores of the popular Billabong brand started selling a new T-shirt containing a design that combines the five-pointed star with what remarkably resembles the Croatian coat of arms.

Behind the five-pointed star is a grain wreath that resembles the iconography which, in Croatia, is commonly associated with the communist Yugoslavia. Behind a checkered coat of arms is an eagle wing, which does look similar to the eagle on the Serbian coat of arms.

Possibly Billabong’s designer wanted to raise some free publicity by being controversial and provoking a reaction from the Australian Croats?

The T-shirt design is called ‘comrade’ which supports the notion that there is a link with communism,( A particularly tender issue to Croatians some who were forced into exile by the dictatorship under the communist regime)

An official response from the Billabong management says that the T-shirt design was inspired by the current sports events and that they had no intention of insulting the Croatian community in Australia.

Sydney Croatian Youth are calling on all Croatians to boycott Billabong products

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