LA’s Historic Apple Store Looted Amidst Fierce Anti-ICE Protests: A City on Edge
LA’s Historic Apple Store Looted Amidst Fierce Anti-ICE Protests: A City on Edge
The historic Apple Tower Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, a beautifully restored landmark, became the unlikely scene of a dramatic looting during the fourth night of intense anti-ICE protests on June 10, 2025.
Videos circulating on social media, notably from Twitter user Brendan Gutenschwager, show a chaotic scene of rioters storming the Apple Store, grabbing iPhones, Apple Watches, MacBooks, and chargers before police sirens could quell the chaos. The looted goods weren’t just taken; “No ICE” and other protest slogans were spray-painted across the damaged glass storefront.
Adding a surprising twist, Gutenschwager reported that all stolen iPhones are now displaying a message: “Please return to Apple Tower Theatre. This device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted.”
This incident is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The protests, according to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, stem from a surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, beginning June 6th. Mayor Bass expressed her concern, stating that the raids targeted individuals in unexpected places, including a Home Depot parking lot and workplaces, far removed from the initial stated focus on violent criminals with warrants.
The escalation of the situation is alarming. The protests, initially sparked by the ICE actions, have led to widespread looting across downtown LA. President Trump’s response has further inflamed tensions. He deployed 2,000 National Guard members on June 7th, later referring to the protests as a “foreign invasion.” By June 10th, over 4,000 National Guard members were deployed, and the LAPD declared all protests unlawful assemblies.
Apple has yet to publicly comment on the incident. The damaged Apple Store is now boarded up, awaiting repairs.
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