Latest Nike trainers spark riot as shoppers demand silence
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It was not about race relations, deprivation or capitalism, but the riot still managed to leave one policeman injured, eight people under arrest and a shopping centre closed for the day.
The issue that exercised the people of Leeds so much was, in fact, squeaky trainers.
A BBC TV's Watchdog programme had claimed pairs of the new £100 Nike Air Max 95, which uses air bubbles as a cushion, had failed to lose an initial squeak, and left many viewers convinced they could exchange their shoes for a silent pair.
Dozens of customers arrived at the Foot Locker store, in the St John's shopping centre, on Friday clutching trainers - of all ages - and demanding new ones. Staff refused to comply, tempers became frayed and the police were called.
By noon the shopping centre was closed. Police said yesterday that of the eight people arrested, three - a boy of 15, a 20-year-old man and a woman in her twenties - had been charged with public order offences and assault and a 19-year-old woman had been charged with public order offences.
Foot Locker Europe, based in Holland, said a small number of the trainers had a manufacturing fault which had dislodged an air bubble, causing the squeaking.
"If people bring them back and it is found that the shoe is faulty we will replace them, but it doesn't mean people can bring trainers which are four or five years old," a spokeswoman said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments