Seattle Apple Store Closes Early on Black Friday Due to Protests
The University Village Apple Store in Seattle closed early on Black Friday 2024 due to protests. Demonstrators raised concerns about alleged child labor and Apple's connections to issues in Palestine and the Congo. Protestors highlighted Black Friday's significance as a major shopping day, emphasizing the alleged exploitation of child labor in Apple's supply chain. Read more about Apple controversies.
While the exact number of protestors remains unconfirmed, reports indicate a small group gathered outside the store. Seattle police responded by issuing trespass warnings. This incident follows a similar protest at the Lincoln Park Apple Store in Chicago earlier in 2024, which focused on Apple's treatment of employees expressing pro-Palestinian views. Learn about other tech-related protests.
Apple has previously denied allegations of sourcing materials from conflict zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has not yet commented on this recent protest. The University Village store, which opened in 2018, had planned to stay open until 8 PM local time on Black Friday. See how this protest may have impacted Black Friday sales.