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Protesters, Fans Line Up In Pasadena For iPhone 6 Release

PASADENA (CBSLA.com) — Hundreds of people waited in line Friday morning in Pasadena for the highly anticipated release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Protesters were also on hand outside the Pasadena Apple store at 54 W. Colorado Boulevard to expose what they call an "invisible minority workforce" behind the new phones.

The protest was among several rallies held in over 20 cities nationwide Friday as service workers and their supporters say they hope to educate customers about the tech gadget industry's economic impact on struggling employees.

But for those in line with digital tickets, it was all about the new phones.

Fans, like Francisco Naranjo, began lining up Monday night for the newest smartphone, which start at $200 with a two-year service contract agreement.

"I'm the first in this line of the Apple store in Pasadena," said Naranjo, who makes it a ritual to be first in line in Pasadena for each new iPhone released.

Apple fan Martin Gijzemijiter traveled from the Netherlands to wait for the gadget.

"It was an 11 hour flight and a 58 hour line," he said.

Gijzemijiter and Naranjo have made it a tradition to wait together for Apple's newest technology.

"We talk to each other every year, and then we don't speak to each other for a year and then we come back and it's like 'Hey how have you been?' And then we're friends again.  It's a very superficial friendship but you know it's awesome," Gijzemijiter  said. "The phone is cool but being in line it's an experience in itself."

The iPhone 6 is 4.7 inches and the iPhone 6 Plus is 5.5 inches. Both boast a slimmer frame, faster processor, Apple Pay and an upgraded camera.

Store employees reported that lines were mainly peaceful with the exception of a few customers cutting in line.

"I've even seen people come in and pay money for a spot. It's kinda unfair for to the other people who have been here," one Apple fan said.

Similar lines formed at Apple stores across the Southland.

 

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