Activists occupy Paris Apple store over Europe tax dispute
In August 2016, European authorities estimated that the company owed US$14.5 billion in back taxes after it negotiated highly favourable tax arrangements with the Irish government
About a hundred activists occupied an Apple store in the French capital, demanding that the US technology giant pay billions of euros the EU says it owes in back taxes.
The members from Attac, a group that seeks alternatives to unbridled globalisation, invaded the expansive two-level store near the Paris Opera for several hours Saturday – leaving only after they were assured of a meeting with management.
“One hundred Attac activists occupied the Apple store” to demand the company “pay its fair share of taxes in the country in which it really operates,” spokeswoman Aurelie Trouve said.
Members standing on the second-level balcony held a banner reading “We will stop when Apple pays”, while others held signs that read “Pay your taxes”.
“We received a formal commitment from an Apple manager that we would be granted a meeting with national leadership within 15 days,” Trouve said.
“If this meeting does not take place, we will come back before Christmas”.