Kith, Social Status, Bodega + More Retailers Close Their Doors in Protest of Racial Inequality: Live Updates

Several prominent sneaker boutiques are closing their doors in protest of racial injustice.

Some of the names who have announced action via social media at time of publication include Kith, Social Status, Oneness, Unknwn, Bodega, A Ma Maniére, A.P.B., Prosper, Burn Rubber and Creme.

The decision comes less than a week after Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot seven times in the back on Sunday by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Below is a list of the stores closing in protest that will be updated throughout the day.

Kith

Kith revealed on social media that its stores will be closed today for business. Instead, the locations will become a place where people can visit to register to vote. “Voting is the most powerful act we can do collectively to implement change and overturn the injustices experienced too often in this country,” the retailer’s statement read.

Social Status, A Ma Maniére, A.P.B. and Prosper

All of the banners owned by James Whitner will be closed from today until Aug. 31. Whitner, on his personal Instagram account, shared a message urging others to close “in solidarity and focus on solutions together.”

Bodega

Bodega announced its doors will be closed on Saturday and Sunday to stand “in unity with the protests against the senseless shooting of Jacob Blake and countless others. The retailer said it will use the time “to give space for reflection, mourning and action.”

Unknwn

Miami-based Unknwn stated it is closing until Aug. 31. “During this time we encourage reflection and action by making yourself heard,” the retailer’s statement read. It also encouraged shoppers to visit its website to check voter registration status, register to vote and view resources about election candidates.

SNS

Sneakersnstuff announced on Instagram that it will close its New York and Los Angeles stores from today until Aug. 31 in solidarity with protestors. “We condemn the senseless shooting of Jacob Blake and the countless others before him,” the retailer wrote in a statement. SNS also used the statement to encourage people to vote.

Sneaker Politics

The boutique is closing up shop on Aug. 30 and is encouraging customers to visit a location on Friday or Saturday to not only register to vote but also to talk about how we collectively can stop the violence and create change.

Concepts

The boutique announced via Instagram that it is closing its stores this weekend “in solidarity with the Black community to stand up for racial injustice.” Aside from closing, Concepts used its statement to encourage customers to act in a way to create change such as register to vote or support the Black Lives Matter movement.

Extra Butter

Extra Butter announced on Instagram today that its location in New York City’s Lower East Side would be closed “in support of the Black community and their struggle against police brutality and systemic racism.” The statement continued, “Comments are off, our platform will not be a place of hurtful language.”

Oneness, Creme, Burn Rubber, August

Several retailers including Oneness in Lexington and Louisville, Ky., Creme in Philadelphia and Norfolk, Va., Burn Rubber in Detroit and August in Madison, Wisconsin, shared the same message with the seemingly endless list of names of Black people who have tragically had their lives taken from them. These stores are all closed until Aug. 31.

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