Footage from the recent protests in France shows an Apple store being almost completely emptied by looters, amid chaotic scenes that included cars being set on fire. The demonstrations began as a protest over overcrowded schools that lack sufficient staff, but public unrest has continued and spread well beyond that original cause.
According to reports, looters broke into Apple stores in Bordeaux and Lille. Complex reported that luxury retailers in three French cities were hit, among them Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Apple.
The outlet said Louis Vuitton and Apple stores were ransacked in Bordeaux, another Apple location was targeted in Lille, and a Hermès boutique was looted in Marseille. All of this took place during nationwide protests.
The disorder was not limited to retail premises. Municipal buildings and government offices were also damaged, and vehicles were set ablaze. Roughly 1,200 arrests were made. Estimates of turnout varied widely, ranging from 550,000 to 800,000 people.
Complex shared a carousel of photos and video clips on its Instagram account. One image shows a looter carrying a Studio Display down the street, while a video clip shows an Apple store almost bare as looters move through it.
Those who took display products may be disappointed. The devices are reportedly configured with a kill switch that renders them unusable once they leave the store's Wi-Fi coverage. From that point, the only function they would perform is responding to Find My.
One commenter on the original post offered a sardonic take, writing that "students" were protesting and looting "books" to improve their studies.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence and theft. He said that "there is no room for violence in our Republic," and promised that offenders would be prosecuted and punished.
