Target, CVS temporarily shut stores amid protests, riots over George Floyd death
As protests, riots and looting over the death of George Floyd in police custody grip the nation, Target and CVS have temporarily closed stores across the United States.
In a statement on its site, Target initially said it would close 175 stores in 13 states, including 71 in Minnesota, 49 in California, 12 in New York and a scattering of others across the country for the time being. The store later revised the release to remove the list of specific closures except for six stores already damaged by the protests.
CVS announced it also would temporarily close stores in more than 20 states and Washington, D.C., the Associated Press reported. The company did not say how many stores it planned to shut. Pharmacies at closed stores will direct customers to open ones for prescriptions and refills.
National protests erupted this week after video emerged of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck as he begged for air Monday during his arrest on suspicion of fraud.
Floyd, a black man, later died. Officer Derek Chauvin, who is white, has been arrested in his death. He and three other Minneapolis police officers also have been fired.
Some of the protests, which have spread from Minneapolis across the nation, have resulted in clashes with police, fires and looting.
More than 24 U.S. cities have enacted curfews, and the National Guard has been called out in 12 states and Washington, D.C., The Washington Post reports.
“We are heartbroken by the death of George Floyd and the pain it is causing communities across the country,” Target said in its statement. It expects most closures to be temporary, though damaged stores will remain shut until further notice.
Employees at closed stores will be paid for scheduled shifts for the next 14 days, including coronavirus bonuses, and will be able to work at nearby stores, Target says.
Target has 1,871 stores in the United States, bringing in $75.4 billion in total revenue in 2018, according to its site. Founded in 1962, Target is based in Minneapolis.
This story was originally published May 31, 2020 at 10:30 AM with the headline "Target, CVS temporarily shut stores amid protests, riots over George Floyd death."