Multiple arrests were made outside Apple’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, as protests took place both inside the store and on the street outside
The Apple Fifth Avenue store was hit with a major protest today, on one of the busiest shopping days of the year
Chaos broke out today at the Apple store as people lined up to grab some Black Friday deals.
A demonstration was held at Apple’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue this afternoon. Dozens of pro-Palestinian and anti-Apple protestors showed up for the protest, which took place inside the building and on the sidewalk outside. According to bystanders, things quickly escalated, resulting in multiple arrests.
According to reports from social media users, the group organizing the protest was accusing Apple of benefiting from exploitative cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo and criticized Apple’s alleged ties to ICE and President Donald Trump.
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Protestors chanted, “Apple, Apple, free the Congo!” inside one of the busiest retail locations in the world.
At least one individual was detained by security inside the store, and the NYPD made several other arrests outside, citing disorderly conduct.
When the protest moved outside, the group was joined by pro-Palestinian protestors. Both groups combined blocked pedestrian traffic along the busy New York street.
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In videos shared online, police can be seen tackling protesters who are trying to run back toward the store, and in one video, an officer shoves a masked protester away.
According to @ScooterCasterNY on X, “One arrestee was removed in an ambulance.”
Yesterday, security personnel at the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade were on high alert, following the tragic shooting in Washington DC the day prior. Two members of the National Guard were gunned down in broad daylight.
Today, Donald Trump announced that one of the young soldiers, Sarah Beckstrom, 20, from West Virginia, had passed away from her injuries. Andrew Wolfe, the other injured National Guard member, is in critical condition.
Trump labelled the incident a “National Security Threat.” Throughout his second term, he has cracked down heavily on protests, particularly pertaining to immigration.
In March, the president responded to widespread student protests in opposition to the US’ investment in the war in Gaza.
“Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came,” Trump wrote.