Right before Christmas 2012, police were called to shopping centers across the country to control mob scenes as thousands of frantic shoppers lined up for the opportunity to part with nearly $200 for a pair of Nike’s new Air Jordan Retro Concords.
"Tinker made it shine. Mike made it fly. You made it iconic," Nike said in a statement. "Jordan 11s only come around once a year, so don't miss this highly anticipated release."
In one locale, a woman left her young children in the car to go buy said shoes, and police had to smash the window to get the youngsters out. She was taken into custody when she returned to her vehicle.
In Atlanta, at least four people were arrested after a crowd broke down a door to enter the mall before it opened. More than twenty police cars responded
A Google search will produce several more tales of fighting, vandalism and arrests. Rioting, in other word. Over SHOES. At a time when people are hungry and unemployed. And, again, mere days before Christmas. It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.
Reading about this utter chaos reminds me of the 2008 Walmart stampede on Black Friday that resulted in the death of a 34-year-old security worker. He was trying to restrain shoppers when the doors opened. Dozens of people walked right over him, trampling him to death. Is saving a few dollars or getting a new pair of sneakers that important?
The best part, within hours, these shoes that everyone had to have, could be found on eBay with dozens of bids higher than $500.
KD
About the Editors: The Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm, which has offices in Virginia (VA) and North Carolina (NC), edits the injury law blogs Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as pro bono services.
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