Black Lives Matter activists called for a boycott of the Starbucks coffee chain just days after an employee called the police to arrest two Black men inside a Philadelphia location were not buying anything and wouldn’t leave. Despite a number of factors that should have convinced police to show discretion and restraint — the men were not armed; they were not violent; they did not resist arrest; the White man who they were meeting yelled at the police that the men did nothing wrong; a bystander filmed the entire episode on video — then men were still taken into custody Thursday.
The video has since gone viral.
The first of what is expected to be many protests took place April 14 at the Starbucks location in question.
1. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
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Protestor Asa Khalif (R) addresses Starbucks Mid-Atlantic Regional Vice President Camille Hymes (C) in a Center City Starbucks in Philadelphia.
2. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
“This is bigger than this one Starbucks. This is bigger than this one manager, who should be fired.” pic.twitter.com/TkrLrViNtD
— John Kopp (@WriterJohnKopp) April 16, 2018
3. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
4. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
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5. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
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6. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
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7. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
Demonstration moved inside Starbucks, where organizer demanded manager be fired pic.twitter.com/HvJG6Jujvi
— Lauren Mayk (@Laurenjmayk) April 15, 2018
8. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
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9. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
Protest underway at Philly Starbucks after two African-American men are forced to leave by police. https://t.co/5oVb9YrgO9 pic.twitter.com/Cxql0YwogK
— The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) April 15, 2018
10. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
“We will not tolerate racial bias anymore,” organizer says outside Starbucks #nbc10 pic.twitter.com/ynTyPp6Em7
— Lauren Mayk (@Laurenjmayk) April 15, 2018
11. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
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12. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
Until there is justice for the two brothers arrested for #WaitingWhileBlack, I won’t be writing at this @Starbucks (or any other) where I’ve purchased thousands of dollars worth of coffee and meals over the years. #boycottstarbucks pic.twitter.com/dQpptBm4fn
— Solomon Jones (@solomonjones1) April 16, 2018
13. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
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14. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
The scene inside the Starbucks at 18th & Spruce about an hour ago, where protesters demanded that the manager who called the cops on Thursday be fired#BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/upByNqLa6U
— Indivisible Philadelphia (@IndivisiblePHL) April 15, 2018
15. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
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16. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
Love this shot from our photographer Michael Bryant at today's Starbucks protest. Here's my story on today's events: https://t.co/xqqffcOopp pic.twitter.com/enBa3CdiuW
— Stephanie Farr (@FarFarrAway) April 15, 2018
17. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
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18. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
Philly protest at the racist Starbucks in my neighborhood today. The manager still has her job after corporate visit yesterday. I’m outraged ! @JoyAnnReid @JillWineBanks @maddow pic.twitter.com/JVgxrPMZ9n
— Mikey (@hisey_mike) April 15, 2018
19. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
Protesters rally at Philadelphia Starbucks where two black men were handcuffed and arrested for 'trespassing': https://t.co/YzFNquBf4D pic.twitter.com/33Wg4XKajH
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) April 16, 2018
20. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
Protests And Call For Boycott At Philadelphia Starbucks After Arrest https://t.co/0gr2DhDDN1 pic.twitter.com/FC3OXJJNfT
— BlackAmericaWeb.com (@BlackAmericaWeb) April 16, 2018
21. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
Peaceful protest at @Starbucks by people of all colors. To the one aggressive man across the street arguing for his “white privilege,” you are outnumbered. Get used to it. pic.twitter.com/DDjMfBmDF5
— Melissa DePino (@missydepino) April 15, 2018
22. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
The protest is growing outside the @Starbucks. The woman on the right in the red shirt is 90 years old and told a story about her father who died when she was 9 as a result of racial profiling and police brutality. pic.twitter.com/DxQb5OYtSG
— Melissa DePino (@missydepino) April 14, 2018
23. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
Outside the Starbucks today pic.twitter.com/vcr9QstkRT
— Melissa DePino (@missydepino) April 14, 2018
24. Scenes From The Demonstration Against Racism At Starbucks
“This is what democracy looks like.” @AsaKhalif from #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/nUk94L4Gx8
— Melissa DePino (@missydepino) April 15, 2018