The Starbucks Union backed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders has been condemned for posting on social media: ‘Solidarity with Palestine!’
Starbucks Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union which represents 9,000 baristas, has now deleted the post – but not before it was spotted by The Washington Free Beacon.
Starbucks management strongly criticized the union’s remarks, saying they do not represent the company’s views.
‘To be clear: We unequivocally condemn these acts of terrorism, hate and violence, and disagree with the statements and views expressed by Workers United and its members. Workers United’s words and actions belong to them, and them alone,’ the company said in a statement.
Jaz Brisack, an original organizer of the union, tweeted on Sunday – as the scale of the Hamas massacre was becoming apparent – ‘There’s no ‘two sides’ to apartheid. Free Palestine’
The Seattle-based company said it wanted to ‘express our deepest sympathy for those who have been killed, wounded, displaced and impacted following the heinous and unacceptable acts of terror, escalating violence and hate against the innocent in Israel and Gaza this week.
It added: ‘Furthermore, we are deeply troubled by the spread of misinformation, inaccurate headlines and third-party social media posts stemming from statements made by Workers United.’
Starbucks continued: ‘Workers United, its local affiliates, union organizers and those who identify as members of ‘Starbucks Workers United’ do not speak for Starbucks Coffee Company and do not represent the company’s views, positions or beliefs.’
Laxman Narasimhan, CEO of Starbucks, urged tolerance, asking for workers to ‘support one another with empathy and understanding, irrespective of our backgrounds and experiences.’
Mary Kay Henry, president of the Service Employees International Union – the umbrella under which the Starbucks union sits – tweeted: ‘The violence in Israel and Palestine is unconscionable.
‘@SEIU stands with all who are suffering, while strongly condemning anti-Semitism, Islamophobia & hate in all forms.
‘I pray for a swift resolution and a future where all in the region can be happy, safe & live with dignity.’
Sitting on the back of a terrorist’s motorcycle, her outstretched arms pointing towards her helpless boyfriend, student Noa Argamani pleads for her life
Aftermath: Burnt-out and abandoned cars where revellers tried to escape the onslaught
But many within the Starbucks union showed their support for the ‘solidarity with Palestine’ message.
Jaz Brisack, an original organizer of the union, tweeted on Sunday – as the scale of the Hamas massacre was becoming apparent – ‘There’s no ‘two sides’ to apartheid. Free Palestine.’
Another activist, Kyle – whose handle on X says ‘Kyle – Starbucks Workers Union’ – echoed Brisack’s words.
‘I, as member of Workers United, stand with Palestine and their fight for freedom,’ he said.
‘My union should do the same. So should yours. Speak up if you don’t like your orgs response.’
The body of a woman is covered with a blanket in Kfar Azza
A baby’s seat and a child’s dress are seen spattered in blood in the aftermath of the attack
A baby’s seat and a child’s dress are seen spattered in blood in the aftermath of the attack
Israeli soldiers remove the body of a compatriot, killed during an attack by Hamas terrorists in Kfar Aza, on Tuesday
An armed Palestinian militant leading a man during the Supernova music festival
An armed Palestinian militant is seen walking around the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Reim in the Negev desert in southern Israel
The Boston branch of the union retweeted the now-deleted original comment.
‘We stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemn the IDF for senselessly and viciously bombing, murdering, and injuring innocent Palestinians, as well as for creating and funding Hamas in the 80s to discourage Palestinian solidarity,’ the union said.
Ellicott City in Maryland tweeted: ‘SBWU Ellicott City statement in solidarity with the Palestinian people.’
It was retweeted by the Greektown Chicago branch.
‘Proud to be in a labor movement with courageous leaders who are willing to speak truth to power!’
The controversy came as universities reckon with pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups facing off on campuses, issuing inflammatory statements.
A Harvard University dean and dozens of student groups at the Ivy League school blamed Israel for provoking the Hamas attack, and students who pledged their support for Palestine are facing calls from business leaders to sabotage their career prospects.
The Democratic Socialists of America, which counts six House Democrats as members, held rallies in several American cities to call for support for Palestinians.
One of their supporters, Congressman Shri Thanedar of Michigan, resigned from the group in protest.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
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