H&M has closed all its stores in South Africa after protesters reportedly damaged several of them.
The protests were in response to an ad widely called "racist." Videos showed people said to be members of South Africa opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters marching through H&M stores. Images showed damaged merchandise and toppled structures.
The ad in question first came under fire last week. It showed a black child wearing a shirt with the words "coolest monkey in the jungle." A white child was depicted wearing a shirt that read "survival expert."
Many people voiced their disapproval of the ad, including rappers The Weeknd and G-Eazy. Both said they would no longer do business with the company. Artist Kervin Andre created a widely shared version of the ad with a shirt that read "coolest king in the world."
H&M has since apologized for and removed the ad.
