Climate Protesters Spray-Paint Apple Store, Demand Boycott Over Environmental Hypocrisy

Climate protesters spray-painted New York's Fifth Avenue Apple Store with slogans calling for a boycott of the company. The vandalism was done by a single individual who was arrested, with Extinction Rebellion accusing Apple of hypocrisy on environmental issues. The group also targeted Google and Meta for their silence on environmental issues.

Title: Climate Protesters Target Apple Store, Criticizing Environmental Hypocrisy

New York, July 2, 2025 — In a high-profile act of protest, climate activists spray-painted slogans on the iconic Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City, calling for a boycott of the tech giant. The vandalism was carried out by a single individual who was promptly arrested at the scene. The slogans, which included "Boycott," "Dump Trump, Apple!" and "Tim + Trump = Toxic," were directed at Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, and the company's environmental stance.

Extinction Rebellion (XR), the group behind the protest, accused Apple of hypocrisy. According to XR spokesperson Miles Grant, "In 2023, Tim Cook called combating climate change one of the most urgent priorities of our time. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s donating to Trump—the man leading the charge to roll back all climate progress. They’ve betrayed their customers and the planet at the most critical moment in human history" [1].

The protest also targeted Google and Meta, criticizing their silence on environmental issues. The group argued that these companies, along with Apple, have been silent on the U.S. pulling out of the Paris Agreement on limiting carbon emissions. The protestors additionally highlighted the growing energy cost of AI services, noting that Big Tech's AI binge is one of the planet's fastest-growing sources of carbon emissions [1].

The incident underscores the growing tension between environmental activism and corporate practices. Apple has been under scrutiny for its environmental policies, particularly after CEO Tim Cook's donation to former President Donald Trump. The company has been criticized for citing its own environmental credentials while remaining silent on significant environmental issues.

In response to the protest, Apple's security staff cleaned the storefront, with the "Tim" name being the first to be removed. The company has not yet issued a public statement on the incident.

This incident serves as a reminder of the increasing scrutiny that companies face regarding their environmental practices. As environmental concerns become more pressing, companies like Apple will need to navigate these challenges while maintaining their business operations.

References
[1] https://9to5mac.com/2025/07/07/5th-avenue-apple-store-spray-painted-by-climate-protesters-calling-for-boycott/
[2] https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-weighs-openai-or-anthropic-to-power-revamped-siri-1751368970257