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Update: Target updated its list of store closures Sunday and removed Peninsula locations from the list.
Target announced Saturday night that it has temporarily closed dozens of stores throughout the country, including multiple Peninsula locations, following damage and looting at some of its stores nationwide amid protests in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man killed by Minneapolis police on Monday, May 25.
Floyd died Monday after being pinned to the ground by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer. Bystanders captured video of the officer using his knee to pin down Floyd between his neck and head. Floyd repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.”
Local Target stores that have temporarily closed include ones in Mountain View, East Palo Alto, Redwood City and San Mateo. It’s unclear when they will reopen. Most closures are in California, Minnesota, Texas and New York.
“We are heartbroken by the death of George Floyd and the pain it is causing communities across the country,” according to a Target press release. “At this time, we have made the decision to close a number of our stores. We anticipate most stores will be closed temporarily. Our focus will remain on our team members’ safety and helping our community heal.”
Protests continued nationwide on Saturday, including in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. Thousands gathered in San Francisco, and as of 8:30 p.m. Saturday night, the protest was peaceful, with many protesters dropping to a knee in the streets while police officers stood by and watched.
In Oakland, where protests of Floyd’s killing Friday night left more than 70 downtown businesses vandalized and/or looted, police were beefing up in preparation to respond to protesters Saturday night. By early Saturday night, there had been no reports of violence. San Jose, which also was the scene of a protest Friday night, had not experienced any problems as of early Saturday night.
Protests have been held in major cities throughout the country in the past week, with several turning violent.
Bay City News Service contributed to this report.
Julia Brown writes for the Mountain View Voice, the sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com.
Julia Brown writes for the Mountain View Voice, the sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com.
Julia Brown writes for the Mountain View Voice, the sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com.
Julia Brown writes for the Mountain View Voice, the sister publication of PaloAltoOnline.com.
We had to drive to the North Bay yesterday, and stopped at Target in Oakland. There were no problems. Oakland is a diverse and tolerant place. Usually troublemakers come from outside.
I can understand stores closing where there have been rioting protestors, but why close stores where there are no problems?
Or have there been problems with Target being targeted? Is there more than this article is telling?
“… Including East Palo Alto location.”
Julia Brown is a racist reporter. Im demanding her resignation!
@Resident,
Target is headquartered in Minneapolis so eventually protestors might retaliate against all stores
“protestors”? Enough with the Orwellian media double-speak. These are rioters a looters attacking innocent bystanders and burning down private businesses.
The writer says:
> Bystanders captured video… Floyd repeatedly said, “I can’t breathe.”
It is misleading to imply he said this only during the bystander’s video. He repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe even when he was *standing* and being led to the police car, handcuffed, repeatedly falling to the ground in an apparent attempt to resist getting into the car.
Are the protesters saying he was lying about not being able to breathe then, but telling the truth about not being able to breathe only in the bystander video? How do they know that?
Are the science-based findings of the coroner’s preliminary report that found no evidence of strangulation or asphyxiation to be dismissed? Floyd had underlying health conditions including coronary artery disease and hypertensive heart disease, and the report implies (and the store clerk states) he was intoxicated. Could those have contributed to his death?
Should there be a trial to sort this out, or should the mob be the judge, jury, and executioner in cases such as this?
References:
– NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/us/derek-chauvin-george-floyd-worked-together.html
– Official complaint: https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6933246/Derek-Chauvin-Complaint.pdf
> In Oakland, where protests of Floyd’s killing Friday night left more than 70 downtown businesses vandalized and/or looted
Tragic that the rioters/looters leave their own communities’ neighborhoods even more destitute. It’s hard to believe that this is their way of showing they care about “black lives.”
I don’t see any strong condemnation of it by peaceful protesters. Why are they condoning it? Moral leadership at a time like this involves clearly stating what is right and wrong.
Sorry you have to deal with this, Target. May justice prevail.
Peaceful demonstrations are allowed and can bring about good results; violent demonstrations combined with looting and injuring are not legal and only cause more violence and hatred.
Target had nothing to do with George Floyd’s death. They do not deserve to be “punished.”
The Apple store in Portland was looted.
Now, the PA store on University is being boarded up.
The vandals and looters all need to be caught and as punishment, they would do dirty jobs that most people don’t like doing like cleaning bathrooms, pick up litter on the streets and side of highways, clean up graffiti, etc.
The mob mentality of destruction and looting across this country is not about racial inequality or George Floyd. Many of the people lack education, ethical morals, healthcare, and income, so they resort to criminal activity. America does not have socialized/universal health and dental care, education, and decent housing for every individual. The gang rap culture is also encouraging violence and bad morals. President Trump and all the current and past presidents and administrations all have failed to reform this country’s problems.
The overgenerous promised pensions of state and city employees are unsustainable and it’s wrong that taxpayers have to make up for any losses. Taxpayers should have more control where they want their hard earned money to go to rather than pensions. I am working so hard every day, but a retired city employee can relax at home making double or triple of what I earn in one year.
This whole country needs major changes to improve the quality and standards of living for all.