Apple closes Apple stores across US amid widespread protests, looting
The Apple Store in Union Square, San Francisco was closed on Sunday for security reasons during the riots.
Shara Tibken / CNET
Apple has been reported to have temporarily closed many of its U.S. retail stores due to violent protests across the country after George Floyd’s death. The move that affects business in the US is out of concern for the safety of employees and customers 95to5Mac reported on Sunday that looters attacked and destroyed businesses.
“Given the health and safety of our teams, we decided to keep some of our stores in the US closed on Sunday,” Apple said in a statement to 9to5Mac.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of the United States for five nights in a row to protest the death of Floyd and other African Americans from the police. Curfews had been issued in at least 25 cities, including Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Minneapolis, where Floyd was killed after a policeman knelt on his neck.
The closings take place just five days after Apple announced plans Reopens over 100 of its 271 US stores in 21 states that were closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Apple began closing its stores across the west in mid-March as the corona virus spread to cities across the United States and Europe.
Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comments.
