Retail speaks out on race relations

MINNEAPOLIS — Industry leaders were among those responding to recent incidents of police brutality in the U.S. as well as the outbreak of violence during protests over the weekend. “As the father of a young black male, I can only imagine their pain [and] emptiness,” Ellison tweeted in reference to the families of victims of police violence. Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the Atlanta Falcons, issued a lengthy statement expressing his disagreement with damage to business properties while affirming that “[m]ore must be done to address systemic racism.” Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart stores in various U.S. cities were among those targeted in the riots.