Breaking: Police Shut Down Nike Stores and Arrest Nike Store Managers Across the Country to preserve “Public Safety”

After crowds erupted into violent behavior in Richmond CA, Orange County FL, Lithonia GA, Hyattsville MD, Charlotte NC, Jersey City NJ, San Antonio TX and Seattle WA, police have shut down Nike shoe stores in malls across the country. Hundreds of store managers in the Nike commercial chain have been pepper sprayed and arrested after they objected to the prospect of leaving their stores unoccupied.

Noting the presence of violence in Nike shoe release lines year after year, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a statement explaining the expulsion of Nike from its current occupation of “Niketown” at a space along East 57th Street in busy downtown Manhattan:

At one o’clock this afternoon, the New York City Police Department notified Nike, the leaseholder of “Niketown,” that its representatives and followers had to immediately remove personnel and belongings from the location on East 57th Street. Many, but not all, employees peacefully complied and left. Fifteen minutes after this announcement, members of the NYPD removed remaining personnel and the Sanitation Department assisted in removing any remaining items from the store. This action was taken at this time of day to reduce the risk of confrontation in “Niketown,” and to minimize disruption to the surrounding neighbourhood.

Ever since the occupation of Niketown began, the space has been wholly taken over by commerce, making it unavailable to anyone else. Then, with the institution of these “promotional events” and “first-come-first-served lines,” the occupation spread to surrounding sidewalks, making it impossible for the law-abiding citizens of New York City to use public thoroughfares. Nike has repeatedly been asked to vacate the property, and repeatedly engaged in obstructionism by asserting that its lease grants it the right to engage in activities in that location. This is simply unacceptable and cannot continue.

From the beginning, I have said that the City had two principal goals: guaranteeing public health and safety, and guaranteeing Nike’s constitutional rights. But when those two goals clash, the health and safety of the public and our first responders must be the priority.

Utility usage and noise complaints have been a recurring problem around this property, and I have become increasingly concerned that the occupation by “Niketown” was coming to pose a public safety hazard to the shoppers and to the surrounding community. That is why, several weeks ago the City acted to remove generators and speakers from the Nike store. Despite this action, problems remained and I therefore made the decision to act by arresting the occupiers of “Niketown.”

As Nike posted video of its expulsion on UStream, presidential candidate Newt Gingrich responded to requests for comment by telling Nike CEO Phil Knight to stop complaining and take a bath.