Starbucks will be closing 8,000 locations across the country for "racial bias education day". The company-wide decision is a result of a viral video that shows two Black men being removed from a Philadephia Starbucks.
The men were escorted out by police after waiting at the coffee shop without making a purchase. The video also shows bystanders questioning the authorities' actions. The following footage sparked outrage and made headlines nationwide. Majority of viewers shamed Starbucks, saying that situation was racially fueled.
Starbucks first made the announcement regarding the training back in April, following the incident:
"On 5/29, we'll close US company-owned stores to conduct racial-bias training to address implicit bias & prevent discrimination. We're taking a hard look at who we are as a company. We’re ashamed & recognize that racial bias is a problem we must address", the company stated via Twitter.
Source: twitter.com