The United States continues to see widespread riots and looting state to state as part of the protests tied to the killing of George Floyd. Reports include the looting of severalApplestores specifically being targeted by looters at locations in Oregon, Arizona, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and California, if not more. Given the value of the devices typically sold atApplestores, looters were likely hoping to make a profit by targeting these stores over others.
Apple news site AppleInsider collected a series of photos, videos, and tweets shared on social media regarding each instance of looting. A clip from the Portland, Oregon protest shows a handful of people rushing through a broken window and grabbing anything they could, while dozens of protestors walked outside the building. A video from Scottsdale,Arizonashowed a store already looted, with a broken window and graffiti saying “For Floyd!!”
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Several of the videos showed the severity of riots and looting. TheWashington, D.C.Apple store had dozens of looters gather around the outside of the shop before several began smashing at windows in tandem in what looked like a very organized effort. The Philidelphia, Pennsylvania video showed a police vehicle in front of an Apple store burning. Looters continued to rush in and out of the store. No policemen were in sight.
Further posts add some context to the futility of robbing an Apple store, however. A Twitter user posting photos of a lootedSan Francisco, California shop points out that there were no products inside the store in the first place.
Another photo showed someone who had screenshot another person’s Instagram story. The screenshot showed a looted phone from anApple store. On its screen was a message reading, “Please return to Apple Walnut Street.” The message continued, clarifying that the device had been disabled and was being tracked, with the authorities being notified. Apple often uses special non-standard phones that don’t work outside of the store specifically to avoid dealing with stolen property.
Regardless, the justification and reasons why people across the country are rioting and looting, whether it beApplestores or any other, are complicated and myriad. AniPhoneis nothing compared to someone’s health and safety.
