With many still seeking justice for the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer this past Monday, thousands of Americans are gathering in protest across the country. Some of these demonstrations have escalated to include riotous behavior, vandalism and looting—the latter affecting many sneaker shops and boutiques.
Throughout Saturday, images and videos of stores being broken into and looted made rounds on social media. The Nike Store location on Michigan Ave. in Chicago appeared to be completely cleaned out.
Nike store on Michigan Ave smashed and completely looted pic.twitter.com/IRZc4FuDBO
There was a similar scene at Flight Club, Supreme and Sole Stage on Fairfax Ave. in Los Angeles.
Flight Club on Fairfax pic.twitter.com/b5hJYuEEPG
SUPEME SOLESTAGE AND OLD FLIGHTCLUB STORE ROBBED @HYPEBEAST @CBSLA @NBCLA @KTLA pic.twitter.com/sg2YZj0a5O
Round Two on Melrose was also hit in LA, along with the retailer's Richmond, Virginia location.
that was fast pic.twitter.com/QZf3cH6zF3
RIF LA confirmed its own break-in with tweets earlier in the day. The San Francisco location was looted as well.
Damn.... They broke into @Rifla too... 😔 pic.twitter.com/GWlNFsZrS5
TOO LATE 😭 https://t.co/Y2ARjzcxP8
wow and now LOOTERS are back at the shop. Right now and cops can’t do shit
when it rains, it pours... RIF San Francisco down 😣
Don C also confirmed on Instagram that RSVP Gallery in LA had been vandalized and looted. About the incident, he said, "I understand people are hurt, so if stealing merch will ease the pain, I can sacrifice that. But, if you are not sincerely protesting and using this [as] an opportunity, you will be 3rd degree manslaughtered as soon as the glass is broken tonight."
Adidas in Manhattan was wrecked.
The Adidas flagship store in #Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood was attacked and looted. pic.twitter.com/9nnuCwNioI
More footage was captured at VILLA in Rochester, New York.
Miami's Shoe Gallery thanked the city for its support after being vandalized and looted.
Undefeated acknowledged that it was hit last night.
Though many cities have increased police force and instituted curfews, protests are still going strong. No matter what happens in the days ahead, sneaker retail and consignment has been hit hard by this week's events.
