Starbucks has issued a statement after two black men, who were waiting on a friend, were wrongfully arrested for “trespassing” in their Philly establishment on Thursday.
Author Melissa DePino captured the incident and posted the video on social media on Thursday with the caption:
@Starbucks The police were called because these men hadn’t ordered anything.
They were waiting for a friend to show up, who did as they were taken out in handcuffs for doing nothing.
All the other white ppl are wondering why it’s never happened to us when we do the same thing.
See her now viral video below:
@Starbucks The police were called because these men hadn’t ordered anything. They were waiting for a friend to show up, who did as they were taken out in handcuffs for doing nothing. All the other white ppl are wondering why it’s never happened to us when we do the same thing. pic.twitter.com/0U4Pzs55Ci
— Melissa DePino (@missydepino) April 12, 2018
The video sparked outrage and many have called for a boycott of the popular coffeehouse.
Starbucks released the same carbon copy statement we get every time some foolishness like this happens.
We apologize to the two individuals and our customers for what took place at our Philadelphia store on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/suUsytXHks
— Starbucks Coffee (@Starbucks) April 14, 2018
Philly police have also released a statement claiming they are investigating the incident.
We are aware of an incident that occurred on 4-12-18 at the Starbucks Café at 18th and Spruce. The entire incident, including the actions of the responding officers, is under internal investigation. Once we gather all the facts, we will comment further.
— Philadelphia Police (@PhillyPolice) April 14, 2018
I was never pressed for their mocha ocha chocha lattes anyway, so I’m good on Starbucks.
