Target closing 6 stores 'until further notice' after protests compromise the safety of employees

After protesters took to the streets last Thursday, a Target store in St. Paul, Minnesota, became the poster child for the escalating riot in the city.

With similar situations across the country happening, and the safety of employees in mind, Target announced Sunday it would close six locations in the U.S. until further notice.

Over the weekend, the retailer has been updating this page to reflect store closures and changes in hours. In the latest update, as of Sunday at noon, Target made the decision to close only six stores temporarily, but does not have available a complete list of all stores with adjusted hours.

"We adjusted hours or closed more than 200 stores over the weekend," a Target spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY.

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In the updated statement, the retailer said: "We recognize the important role we play in helping our communities shop for the food, medicine and other essentials they need. We apologize for the inconvenience and will reopen our stores on their normally scheduled hours as soon as it is safe to do so."

Closed stores:

• Broadway Oakland, CA

• Buckhead South Atlanta, GA

• South Loop Chicago, IL

• Lake Street Minneapolis, MN (goal of opening in late 2020)

• Uptown Minneapolis, MN

• Washington Square W Philadelphia, PA

Target CEO Brian Cornell released a statement on Friday in support of the protests against police abuse against African Americans saying, "Target leaders are assembling community members, partners and local officials to help identify what more we Calif.n do together and what resources are required to help families, starting right here in Minnesota."

Minnesota State Police in front of a Target Store on May 28, 2020, in St. Paul, Minn.

The company announced that employees impacted by store closures will be paid for up to 14 days of scheduled hours, including COVID-19 premium pay, and –where it is possible – they will be able to work at other nearby Target locations.

"Our merchant and distribution teams are preparing truckloads of first aid equipment and medicine, bottled water, baby formula, diapers and other essentials, to help ensure that no one within the areas of heaviest damage and demonstration is cut off from needed supplies," Cornell added in his statement.

Protests started in Minnesota last week amid outrage over the death of George Floyd, an African-American man who died in the custody of Minneapolis police.

Target stated that the list was updated on May 31 at noon. To check for updates you can visit this link.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Target closes 6 stores after protests compromise the safety