Fifth Avenue Apple Store hit with Trump environmental protest graffiti
The Apple Store on Fifth Avenue was the target of a small protest by the environmental group Extinction Rebellion, with slogans spray painted on the famous glass box.
Spray paint on the Fifth Avenue Apple Store - Image Credit: Extinction Rebellion NYC
On Sunday, the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, New York, was the scene of a small protest. A man used a can of green spray paint to write slogans on the glass, attacking Apple and President Donald Trump.
In a video posted by Extinction Rebellion NYC on Sunday, the unnamed man took a minute to spray "Boycott" and "Tim + Trump = Toxic" on two panes of glass, before being stopped. The video continues with the man being arrested, addressing viewers with more protest talking points.
The man wasn't alone at the store, as voices could be heard chanting "Dump Trump Apple" repeatedly. He was the only person arrested during the protest.
An environmental play
In a press release from Extinction Rebellion sent to AppleInsider, the group claims it wants to call out "Big Tech's climate hypocrisy." It refers to Tim Cook and other tech CEOs who supported the Paris Agreement, but then agreed to work with an administration the group insists is "gutting environmental rules" and is pro-fossil fuel.
Miles Grant, a spokesperson for the group, referred to Cook calling climate change on of the most urgent priorities of modern times in 2023. In 2025, Cook's donation to Trump's inauguration is viewed as Apple betraying customers and the planet.
Other listed spokespeople discuss how tech CEOs were against Trump's ditching of the Paris Agreement but are now more caring about protecting their wealth. Others also call out the CEOs for having a pro-environment, green branding for their companies but then failing to live up to their policies and pledges.
A difficult situation
The group's decision to attack the Fifth Avenue Apple Store occurs at a time when Apple, and all other tech companies, have to navigate choppy political seas. Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, Apple and others have had to deal with a range of issues, including DEI policies and the whole tariff situation.
As Tim Cook showed in the first Trump presidency, he was able to take a kid-gloves approach and succeed while other tech CEOs steered clear. This time around, many are trying to go through the path of least resistance with Trump, to avoid having too much damage done to their businesses.
Apple has some serious environmental credentials, but Cook has to strike a balance between pursuing those aims and keeping Apple from being harmed.
Groups such as Extinction Rebellion don't want to compromise, and want Apple to do what it considers is the right thing. Even if that's not really practical right now, politically speaking.
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Comments
Environmental Rebellion should perhaps try to sue Trump for criminal negligence because his ignorant dictator DOGE cuts are most likely the primary cause of the 80+ deaths during the recent Texas floods.
do what you have to do. But when you resort to crime and destroy others’ property and livelihoods, YOURE the bad guy. And you’re only calling the wrong kind of attention to yourself. Ultimately, unhelpful to your cause.