All eyes are on Starbucks this week, including Hollywood's.
Kevin Hart, Ruby Rose, Kumail Nanjiani, T.I. and the ladies of "The View" were among those speaking out against the coffee chain after two black men were arrested for allegedly trespassing in a Philadelphia Starbucks last Thursday.
An employee at the location called 911 after the men asked to use the restroom without buying anything first. The men were released shortly after their arrest and weren't charged, but protests broke out as many believe it is a clear example of discrimination and racism. Hollywood stars who have caught wind of the story have joined calls for a boycott.
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View Story"This really makes me sad," Hart tweeted Monday. "Starbucks had a platform and a real opportunity to fix that situation correctly by calling it exactly what it was, which was racial profiling/discrimination by the on-duty manager. YOU FAILED ... That person should have been FIRED."
T.I. urged his Instagram followers to boycott Starbucks and elaborated when TMZ caught him on camera leaving LAX Sunday.
"We should reserve our right to stop spending out money at places that don't respect us equally, you know what I'm saying?" the rapper and actor said. "Until they have made some progressive steps to let us know how they plan to rectifying the situation, I don't see no other answer."'
"I think that if there's one thing that America has shown us, it's that there are two ways that you can get their attention: the loss of life, and the loss of finances," he added. "Too much has been left undone when it comes to us being treating equally and fairly in this country. I don't have nothing personally against Starbucks. … The greater good of all, man, is my priority."
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View StoryOver on "The View" Monday, Whoopi Goldberg explained that you "don't want to leap to a racial thing," however, she also pointed out that that many white people in the coffee shop hadn't ordered anything, yet they weren't asked to leave. Fellow panelistSunny Hostin explained that this sort of discrimination is something that is happening all the time. "This is the real-life experience of African Americans in this country," she argued, while Sara Haines thought police should have intervened when they realized the men had done nothing wrong.
Read Starbucks official apology, then take a look at more reactions from Hollywood below.
We apologize to the two individuals and our customers for what took place at our Philadelphia store on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/suUsytXHks
@Starbucks
STARBUCKS CEO APOLOGIZES FOR ARRESTS: The company's CEO says he will order store managers to undergo training on how to spot "unconscious bias" after witnesses said two black men were arrested at a Philadelphia shop for doing nothing but sitting at a table — the co-hosts react. pic.twitter.com/ADPL3wBTkB
@TheView
Don't go to @starbucks. Go to smaller local coffee shops. The coffee is better anyway. https://t.co/DhCqLtMBDl
@kumailn
Starbucks got us paying five dollars for a cup coffee and still disrespect us...
@LoniLove
Between #WagTheDog #SyrianStrikes, #Comey #PeeTape #IDontKnow, Cohen wannabe Trump #consigliere, Playmate, PornStar, Doorman pay-offs, Housekeeper alleged baby-momma drama, coupled with black men can't sit in #Starbucks & black boys can't ask for directions...I wake up tired.😳
@StarJonesEsq
For those who insist "theres gotta be more to the story..." Nope just the usual racism https://t.co/IqFfzIVGCU
@itsgabrielleu
Maybe now CEO of @Starbucks can directly thank the carefully planned racist work of @PhillyPolice for their stocks dropping . Racism alway pretends to disappear when the money goes. Better to understand the true ugliness within the dept. #Guilty
@ccollinsjr
These American men knew what was necessary to preserve their health. Obey. Comply. It's ENRAGING that that's the reality. I hope they sue the hell out of Starbucks and the city of Philadelphia. https://t.co/c3WENcRkQ6
@jfreewright
This is unbelievable.. I too have been at Starbucks just using Wifi working and waiting for people and ... well.. I guess it goes without say I wasn't accosted let alone arrested.
@RubyRose
America, what year is it over there? https://t.co/swaDWY6NB0
@AJemaineClement
This really makes me sad... @Starbucks had a platform and a real opportunity @GMA to fix that situation correctly by calling it exactly what it was which was racial profiling/discrimination by the on duty manager. YOU FAILED ...That person should have been FIRED. https://t.co/inweLlGu4q
@KevinHart4real
I also felt that the company should of stood up and addressed the matter and made us feel comfortable in understanding that this wrong doing would never happen again...and that they should of addressed the victims with a apology etc
@KevinHart4real
I've never been to #Starbucks Too expensive (I'm very frugal) But MAN this story of the guys arrested there is MAKING ME CRAZY! Jeez, wrong!
@PauleyP
Yet you're telling millions of people NOT to BOYCOTT @Starbucks They obviously DONT CARE.
@K23Veroni
I was simply saying not to boycott before seeing what the company was going to do....after watching the interview that the CEO of @Starbucks did on @GMA I feel that they failed in doing what they should have done. Now actions can be taken...
@KevinHart4real
The last thing that I will say on this matter is..before we jump out the gate with anger sometimes it's ok to think first...how many people of color are employed by that company? How many families are being taken care of because of the income that's being provided by said company
@KevinHart4real
I believe in equality and I want it for people of color more than anything. Right is right and wrong is wrong. This matter hit home because it's where I'm from. My heart goes out to those men that were treated horribly. Shit is truly sad that we are still going backwards
@KevinHart4real
Why are people saying Starbucks is racist? It was that one employee who was racist. It's not like Starbucks tells them to arrest black people. They just serve terrible coffee. Be mad at that only.
@chrisdelia
Waiting in a Starbucks while black is a crime? As many people as I see taking up space using their internet/bathroom w/o nary a cup? #NeverAgain @Starbucks https://t.co/lp41iIxrva
@questlove
10 times outta 9, if cops have to be called on black people it never ends in “our bad....have a nice day”. https://t.co/qpg7RHoTOM
@questlove