Bridgestone: 7 retail stores in 4 states damaged in protests

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Seven Bridgestone Retail Operations stores in four states were damaged in recent days in rioting that followed the death of George Floyd, the Minnesota man who died at the hands of police.

Bridgestone reports three Tires Plus sites in Minnesota, one in St. Paul and two in Minneapolis, were damaged as well as individual Firestone Complete Auto Care locations in Oakland and Van Nuys, Calif., Louisville, Ky., and Seattle.

The Twin Cities have been a hotbed for protests as well as rioting following Mr. Floyd's death, for which a Minneapolis police officer — who knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes during an arrest — has been charged.

Bridgestone said the seven Bridgestone retail store locations had sustained "various levels of damage" following local protest activities, and an undisclosed number of other stores closed temporarily or were closing early at the request of local police due to continued protests in certain areas.

"We are fortunate to report that no customers or employees were at any of the store locations during these instances, and all employees are accounted for and safe," the company said.

Damage estimates for each individual location were unavailable from the Bridgestone as the company said it is still assessing damage.

"Across our network of more than 2,200 tire and automotive service centers nationwide, the well-being and safety of our employees and customers remains the company's most important value," the company said.

While Minneapolis is a focal point of protests these days, Louisville, Ky., also is experiencing unrest due to another police-related death. Louisville police officers on March 13 shot Breonna Taylor, an emergency medical technician, eight times in her home while using a no-knock search warrant.

Bridgestone Retail Operations, based in Nashville, operates retail stores under the Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus and Wheel Works brands.