N.Y. MTA Removes Controversial Subway Ads Featuring Nazi Symbols

The New York City transportation authority and Amazon Studios are receiving criticism for recent subway advertisements that reportedly depict a Nazi symbol as a promotion for a new television show.

The advertisements, adorning some New York City subway trains in recent days, are meant to promote the new show "The Man in the High Castle," which recently became available for viewing in November.

The subway advertisements, plastered onto subway seats, show modifications of Japan's Rising Sun design and the Nazi Parteiadler symbol combined with the American flag design, as the show depicts what the United States would have been like had it been occupied by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan during World War II. 

The MTA has received criticism over the advertisements, with the Anti-Defamation League saying the advertisements lack context.

"On the television program, which explains this is the notion of an America controlled by Hitler, you get that context. On the train, seeing the American flag paired with a Nazi symbol is viscerally offensive, because there is no context as to what it means," Evan Bernstein, the New York regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, said in a statement, adding "The fact that the flag is spread across the seats only compounds the effect."

"This ad campaign has a feel of exploiting things that are so sensitive to so many people," Bernstein added.

The MTA has subsequently removed the controversial advertisements amid the backlash, saying in a statement that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also asked that the advertisements be removed.

"The shuttle train with the wrapped ad for the show was pulled from service after this evening's rush hour, and the ad will be removed. ‎Please note that this afternoon, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called the head of the MTA and asked him to ensure the ads came down," the MTA said in a statement.