Starbucks Apologizes Following Outrage Over Controversial Arrest Inside Store
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Two days after two men were arrested while waiting for their friend at a local Starbucks, the company has issued an apology.
'Internal Investigation' Underway Following Arrest At Philly Starbucks
On Thursday, police were called to a Starbucks located on 18th and Spruce.
Allegedly, the men were waiting to meet their friend according to witnesses when they were asked to leave.
Police were then called to the scene.
The video below, captured by author Melissa DePino, shows the tail end of what occurred during the incident that has led to public outrage.
The company tweeted the apology on Saturday morning and confirms that they are reviewing their policy.
They also addressed the matter on their website.
Still, customers have taken to social media to share their outrage with hashtags such as #BoycottStarbucks.
Subsequently, the Philadelphia Police Department says an internal investigation is underway following the arrest of two people at a Starbucks this week.
After initially taking to twitter about the incident, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenny released a statement Saturday afternoon.
"I am heartbroken to see Philadelphia in the headlines for an incident that, at least based on what we know at this point, appears to exemplify what racial discrimination looks like in 2018," said Mayor Kenny.
In his statement, Mayor Kenny addressed that Starbucks released an apology but believes that is not enough.
He asked Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations to review the firm's policies and procedures, including if they're employees have, or need, any type of bias training.
The original video that was shared on Twitter on Thursday evening has been liked nearly 1 million times and has since gone viral.
