Racism in Australia: Black teens asked to leave Apple store in Melbourne
Melbourne, Nov 12: A group of black teens were allegedly asked to leave Apple store because of their skin colour in Australia, media reported.
The incident took place at one of Apple store located at Maribyrnong in Melbourne. According to reports, the store staff were worried they might steal something, reported the Independent.
The teen identified as Abdulahi, Gereng, Ese, Mabior, Mohamed, and Petrieaged - were approached by staffers at the store.
Footage of the incident surfaced on Tuesday. The video of the incident has been viewed more than 39,000 times on Facebook.
One of the teens asks: "Why would we steal something?" But he was immediately shut down by the employee: "Guys, end of discussion. I need to ask you to leave our store."
Ese, one of the students, said that he was shocked and offended by the incident that carried racist undertones.
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"It was just really offensive when he said 'we are afraid you are going to steal something.' It was shocking; it was racism," he told Mashable. "He didn't even give us a chance."
Mohamed Semra, wrote of the incident on Facebook: "Racial profiling has to stop, happens to often in America we don't need here in Australia too."
Apple has extended its apology to the students, reported BBC.
OneIndia News