Starbucks To close 8,000 Stores For Racial-Bias Training

Starbucks announced that they will close their 8,000 company-owned stores in the United States on May 29th to educate employees about racial bias. The decision comes amidst backlash after the arrest of two black men who were waiting for a friend at a Philadelphia Starbucks last week. The store manager called the police.

CLICK HERE FOR FOOTAGE OF THE ARREST

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said in a statement,

I’ve spent the last few days in Philadelphia with my leadership team listening to the community, learning what we did wrong and the steps we need to take to fix it. While this is not limited to Starbucks, we’re committed to being a part of the solution. Closing our stores for racial bias training is just one step in a journey that requires dedication from every level of our company and partnerships in our local communities.

As previously reported, the two men were at the Starbucks when they asked to use to the bathroom. An employee told them it was only for paying customers. When they then sat in the store without ordering anything, the manager called police, and the men were arrested for trespassing. No charges were filed.

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