People demanding Amazon Canada remove 'insulting' 51st state merch

Fed-up Canadians are taking a stand and calling on Amazon Canada to pull 51st-state merchandise being sold online.

On February 9, Thornbury, ON, resident Sue Williams-Dunn started a Change.org petition titled "Urge Amazon to Discontinue Selling 'Canada, 51st State' Merchandise."

Williams-Dunn stated that Canadians feel a "profound sense of betrayal by the US President to try to force us to become the 51st State through submission, not permission."

change.org

"The merchandise being sold on Amazon that highlights and supports this claim is not just offensive and immoral — it reinforces a direct threat to our democracy," stated Williams-Dunn.

"Seeing items on sale that portray this notion on a platform as huge as Amazon gives President Trump's intimidating tactics more power than they deserve and serves as a constant reminder of the bullying we are subjected to."

As of Monday morning, there are over 56,600 signatures.

A quick search on Amazon Canada reveals a mix of products with varying sentiments. Some products are vehemently against the suggestion of Canada becoming the 51st state. One hat features the phrase "51st state my a**" and one T-shirt with a maple leaf states, "Never 51."

However, there are also several products with phrases favouring U.S. President Donald Trump's statements.

Amazon Canada

A hat listed for sale features a design that combines the U.S. and Canadian flags and simply states, "51st State of America." One T-shirt features a drawing of Trump wearing a red jacket and a matching hat with the phrase "Make Canada the 51st State." Similar sentiments can be found emblazoned across flags, decals, and a bumper sticker.

"While some may argue these products are harmless, even comedic, they disregard and belittle the sustained economic terrorism Canada has been withstanding," wrote Williams-Dunn. "This is not a joke to us. It's a threat to our autonomy and identity as Canadians."

One angry commenter stated, "This is offensive and foments dissent and war. I will immediately not buy products from Amazon."

Another wrote, "Trump's initiative for Canada to become a 51st U.S. state is as absurd as it is insulting."

Someone else wrote, "It's quite frankly insulting that this is even a thing. Amazon, do better."

In an email statement, Amazon Canada told us that the store offers a broad range of viewpoints, "including products that may be disagreeable."

The company stated that it has guidance for customers and selling partners about items allowed for sale online and shared its policies on offensive products.

"In this instance, we concluded that these products did not breach our policies," reads the email.

Amazon isn't the only retailer selling 51st-state merchandise. Sites like Redbubble, TeePublic, and Etsy also show similar listings.

We have also contacted fundraiser organizer Williams-Dunn. We will update this story when we hear back.