The coffee chain has apologised after two black men were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks while waiting for a friend.
ADVERTISEMENTProtesters have entered a Philadelphia Starbucks on Sunday (April 15) and called on the manager to be fired after two black men were arrested in the shop earlier in the week. The men, who had been waiting for a friend before ordering, were accused of trespassing.
The store manager approached the men on Thursday evening and asked them to leave after they requested the use of the toilet without making a purchase, police said. In response, the men told staff they were waiting for a friend and refused to leave.
Amateur video shows police placing the pair in handcuffs.
The footage has been widely shared since it was posted on Twitter and has led to accusations of racial profiling.
Starbucks has apologised.
Regional vice president Camille Hymes said: "This incident does not reflect the spirit of our brand. It was an unfortunate incident. And we'll be sure to make it right."
Philadelphia police have said they were right to carry out the arrest after staff told them the pair were causing a disturbance.
However locals are now calling for a boycott of the Starbucks store.