AOC-backed Starbucks union representing 9,000 baristas sparks fury by tweeting ‘solidarity with Palestine!’ after Hamas massacre of 1,200 Israelis
The Starbucks union, backed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders, was condemned for posting on social media: ‘Solidarity with Palestine!’
Starbucks Workers United, an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union that 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 comments, saying they did not represent the company’s views.
‘To be clear: We unequivocally condemn these acts of terrorism, hatred and violence, and do not agree 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 carnage became clear – ‘There are no ‘two sides’ to apartheid. Free Palestine’
The Seattle-based company said it wanted to “express our deepest sympathies to those who have been killed, wounded, displaced and affected following the heinous and unacceptable acts of terrorism, escalating violence and hatred 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 arising 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.’
Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan encouraged tolerance and called for workers to “support each other with empathy and understanding, regardless 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 those who suffer, while strongly condemning anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and hatred in all forms.
‘I pray for a quick decision and a future where everyone in the region can live happily, safely and with dignity.’
Sitting on the back of a terrorist’s motorcycle, her outstretched arms pointing at her helpless boyfriend, student Noa Argamani pleads for her life
Aftermath: Burned out and abandoned cars where revelers tried to escape the attack
But many within the Starbucks union have shown 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 carnage became clear – ‘There are 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 a member of Workers United, stand with Palestine and their struggle for freedom,” he said.
‘My union should do the same. So should yours. Speak up if you don’t like your organisation’s response.’
The body of a woman is covered with a blanket in Kfar Azza
A baby seat and a child’s dress are 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 leads 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 original comment, which has now been deleted.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemn the IDF for the senseless and brutal bombing, killing and injury of innocent Palestinians, as well as for creating and funding Hamas in the 80s to discourage Palestinian solidarity,” he said. the union said.
Ellicott City in Maryland tweeted: ‘SBWU Ellicott City statement in solidarity with the Palestinian people.’
This was retweeted by the Greektown Chicago branch.
‘Proud to be in a labor movement with courageous leaders willing to speak truth to power!’
The controversy came as universities count on pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups to show up on campuses and issue 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 withdraw their sabotaging 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.