The footage of the incident sparked a social media outcry.
By Sreejith Vallikunnu
The US tech giant Apple has apologized after six students in Australia claimed that they were kicked out of one of its stores because of their skin colour.
The students – Mohamed Semra, Khalid Breezy, Francis Ose, Petros Smalls, Abdulahi Haji Ali and Deebo Ater – filmed the incident which took place in an Apple store in Maribyrnong, Melbourne.
The footage of the incident emerged on Tuesday sparking a social media outcry and it has been viewed more than 50,000 times on Facebook.
On the video, one of the Apple staff who was escorted by a security guard can be heard saying the students to leave the store, because employees were worried that they “might steal something.”
“These guys are just a bit worried about the presence in the store. They are just worried you might steal something,” he said.
When the boys protest, the staff member tells them: “End of discussion – I need to ask you to leave our store.”
According to BBC.com, Apple said the store manager apologized to the boys and their school principal. An Apple spokesperson said the incident was under investigation and released the following statement:
“We want every person who joins our team, every customer visiting our stores or calling for support to feel welcome. We believe in equality for everyone, regardless of race, age, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. That applies throughout our company, around the world with no exceptions.”
The student who filmed the video, Francis Ose, wrote on Facebook: “Simply racism – made them apologise tho (sic).”
Another student Mohamed Semra wrote of the incident on Facebook: “Cheers for the support guys means a lot, apple have apologized and justice came through!! we still haven’t received a public apology but hopefully soon.”
“Racial profiling has to stop, happens to often in America we don’t need here in Australia too,” he added.