Halle Berry Urges Fans to Donate to Immigrant Store Owner Who Lost His Shop Amid Protests

At the start of the week, actress Halle Berry took to social media to ask for donations for an immigrant who lost his store during the Los Angeles protests against the death of George Floyd.

Taking to Twitter, Berry shared an image of the elderly man standing in front of his destroyed shop. In the caption of the post, the actress revealed that Ned Harounian, 81, had his Melrose store “looted” and “burned” during the riots.

She also shared how Harounian’s late wife’s jewelry was also stolen during the looting. Berry acknowledged how things were “crazy right now,” but hoped people would take the time to help the businessman out.

FUNDRAISING FOR IMMIGRANT

She shared a link to the GoFundMe page that had been created for the immigrant and asked people to donate. So far, the page has raised $49,808 of the $75,000 goal.

Harounian’s son, Ebi, was one of the creators of the funding page. He revealed how his father had lost his livelihood when the store was destroyed.

WHEN DID HAROUNIAN COME TO THE US

In 1985, Harounian and his family immigrated to the US. He’s spent more than 30 years dedicating his life to his shop and the Melrose community, according to his son.

LOOTING THE STORE

Ebi also said revealed how his mother had died three years ago from pancreatic cancer. He explained how her jewelry and “her old clothes that my dad had a connection to, it was in the store.”

“IN A HORRIBLE SITUATION”

The son further stated: "It’s horrible, I don’t know what to do with my dad. My dad is in a horrible situation right now.” The nation has been engulfed by protests against the death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd, 46.

HOW GEORGE DIED

A video was leaked where police officer, Derek Chauvin, was seen kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes despite the victim's pleas for air.

The incident occurred when police were called to the 3700 block of Chicago Avenue South on May 25, 2020. Chauvin has since been fired and charged with second-degree murder.