George Floyd protests, looting lead Target to temporarily close and adjust hours at 200 stores

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Target (TGT) has taken action to protect its workers and merchandise as civil unrest related to the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police sweeps across the country, which has in some instances led to looting of retail stores.

The discount retailer closed or adjusted hours at 200 stores over the weekend, a spokesperson told Yahoo Finance via email. Target operates 1,900 stores across the U.S, including 73 in Minnesota.

Target’s decision comes in light of its own stores in its hometown of Minneapolis being targeted by protesters for looting or vandalism. In one video that has gone viral on Twitter, a female in a wheelchair (seen below) was attacked by protestors looting a Minneapolis Target store. Other videos of Target locations being looted also continued to pop up on Twitter during the weekend.

Target Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell addressed the situation via a new statement on May 31.

“We are a community in pain. That pain is not unique to the Twin Cities—it extends across America. The murder of George Floyd has unleashed the pent-up pain of years, as have the killings of Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. We say their names and hold a too-long list of others in our hearts. As a Target team, we’ve huddled, we’ve consoled, we’ve witnessed horrific scenes similar to what’s playing out now and wept that not enough is changing. And as a team we’ve vowed to face pain with purpose,” Cornell said.

Cornell added, “It’s hard to see now, but the day will come for healing—and our team will join our hearts, hands and resources in that journey. Even now, Target leaders are assembling community members, partners and local officials to help identify what more we can do together and what resources are required to help families, starting right here in Minnesota.”

“Since we opened our doors, Target has operated with love and opportunity for all. And in that spirit, we commit to contributing to a city and community that will turn the pain we’re all experiencing into better days for everyone.”

Brian Sozzi is an editor-at-large and co-anchor of The First Trade at Yahoo Finance. Follow Sozzi on Twitter @BrianSozzi and on LinkedIn.

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