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'Shameful': Face mask with Nazi symbols for sale at Shell petrol station

A woman was mortified to find a face mask with nazi symbols printed all over it when she walked into a petrol station in Florida.

The black face masks with a white Nazi eagle insignia, including a swastika, were spotted by Kelly Wagner when she went to a Shell petrol station in Fort Lauderdale.

“It’s shameful, hurtful,” she told local news station WPLG.

“There is no place for that in our society in this day and age. I’m sorry.”

Ms Wagner told the outlet she was in shock when she saw the masks and asked why the petrol station was selling masks with a symbol of hate.

A face mask with Nazi symbols was found at a petrol station in Florida. Source: WPLG
A face mask with Nazi symbols was found at a petrol station in Florida. Source: WPLG

She claims the woman behind the counter said she and other workers sell what they are given to sell.

WPLG purchased the last mask the petrol station had in stock, and says it would be thrown out once the report was done.

After making the purchase, WPLG questioned the station's manager, Mohammad Hossin, who says he had no idea what the symbols meant.

Mr Hossin said the masks were purchased from a small vendor who was selling an assortment of face masks.

In a statement to WPLG, Shell Oil Products said the face masks in question would be removed.

"Shell Oil Products US does not condone hate symbols and is in contact with the licensee of this site to have this item removed. We support inclusivity of all patrons who choose Shell and take allegations of discrimination seriously," the statement said.

“The Shell retail fuels business in the U.S. and its brand licensees primarily supply quality motor fuels to wholesalers who operate under the Shell brand and sell Shell-branded fuels.

"While the name on the sign reflects the brand of the motor fuel being sold on the premises, the convenience store and the day-to-day site operations are the legal responsibility of the wholesaler, site owner and/or operator.”

The mask featured a symbol used by the Nazi Party in Germany and by white supremacists and neo-Nazis today. Source: WPLG
The mask featured a symbol used by the Nazi Party in Germany and by white supremacists and neo-Nazis today. Source: WPLG

The Anti Defamation League notes many nations around the world use an eagle, though the Nazi Eagle was developed by the Nazi Party and since World War II, it has been used by neo-Nazis and other white supremacists.

The Nazi Eagle usually features a swastika, though other hate symbols have been used.

While the swastika is an ancient symbol tied to several religions and is associated with good fortune, according to the ADL, since 1945 it has been widely recognised as a hate symbol.

“Since 1945, the swastika has served as the most significant and notorious of hate symbols, anti-Semitism and white supremacy for most of the world outside of Asia,” ADL explains

“Its display is prohibited in Germany and some other countries, leading some right-wing extremists to devise variants or alternatives to the swastika that would evoke a similar effect.”

Nazi mask spotted in Sydney

Earlier this year, a similar face mask with the nazi symbols was spotted at a Westfield in Sydney.

Images began circulating on social media of a face mask displayed at a store at Westfield Miranda, in the Sutherland Shire, which featured the Nazi eagle insignia.

In a statement to Yahoo News Australia back in March, Westfield Miranda said the retailer claimed displaying the mask was a mistake and confirmed it had been removed.

"As soon as the centre was made aware, the team spoke with the retailer who expressed it was a genuine mistake," the statement said.

"The mask was immediately removed from display and will not be available for sale."

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