New Starbucks Video Shows LA Manager Deny Black Man Bathroom Access But Let White Man Use It
Just days after Starbucks was forced to offer an apology for the discriminatory arrest of two Black men who were waiting for a friend inside a Philadelphia Starbucks, a video taken in Southern California location of the coffee chain shows a Black man get denied access to the bathroom.
In the viral video, a man identified as Brandon Ward questions a white man as he exits the restroom. Ward asks the man, who says his name is Weston, if he bought anything prior to being given the bathroom code. When Weston says he has not yet ordered, Ward asks the manager why Weston was given access without purchase, but he was told he’d have to buy something first to use the bathroom.
"Is it because of my skin color?" the 26-year-old asks a manager.
The manager asks him to leave the store and calls a security guard as the video cuts out. Torrance police confirmed officers were called to the location but no arrests were made, reported KTLA.
Ward's video has been viewed over 600,000 times
The video resulted in many people questioning the practices of the coffee chain
Torrance Police Department Sgt. Ron Harris confirmed officers responded to the Starbucks about 9:45 a.m. Jan. 23 for an "assist a citizen" call. The caller reported an individual was upset with management regarding a restroom issue, Harris said.
When officers arrived, they spoke to management but the individual was no longer there, the sergeant said. The management indicated store staff would call police again if the person returned to the store, Harris said, but police never received a follow-up call.
Although Ward was told he needed to order something before using the bathroom, many Black people believe that policy does not exist for white people
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