On April 12, two black men were arrested in a Philadelphia Starbucks while waiting to meet a friend. They hadn’t bought anything while waiting. The friend showed up during the arrest when the store’s manager called the police.
#BoycottStarbucks is a recent example of movements and activism being spread through Twitter. Using the hashtag as a strategy to mobilize people to action is effective, especially in spreading knowledge of the incident.
Full Video of Rashon Nelson, member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and colleague being arrested and taken from #Starbucks for no reason but sitting and waiting for a third party! #BoycottStarbucks pic.twitter.com/ORUpaayml3
— TEXAS GREEK PICNIC™ (@TXGreekPicnic) April 17, 2018
This tweet shares the video to a larger audience. It shows how people who know the victims of varying incidents take to the social media platform to voice their opinions.
Until 2 black men can sit in a @Starbucks and enjoy a coffee without getting arrested I won’t be going back. Do better Starbucks. #BoycottStarbucks pic.twitter.com/xQJPug9h8b
— Ryan Knight #BlueWave2018 🌊 (@ProudResister) April 15, 2018
This tweet shows what how a majority of the tweets around this hashtag include an explanation of why they user is boycotting.
Racism is a systemic issue at Starbucks. Just because a company seems liberal and progressive, it does not mean they are immune from being flagrantly racist. #BoycottStarbucks pic.twitter.com/YTMhJpykZ9
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) April 16, 2018
This tweet is an example of how people have taken to Twitter to share other instances of racism they’ve experienced at Starbucks.
A decision-making chart for calling the cops. Consider the consequences of your actions. #BoycottStarbucks pic.twitter.com/MNOtwfpH6t
— Professor Chanda Prescod-Weinstein🙅🏽♀️ 🇧🇧 (@IBJIYONGI) April 15, 2018
This is an example of Twitter activism, or adding rich media to create change through the platform.
I'm joining #BoycottStarbucks because one of their 218,000 worldwide employees called the police on two people who wouldn't leave. Obviously the whole company is rotten to the core.
— Brett Arends (@BrettArends) April 17, 2018
As an example of an opposing view, this person’s tweet represents the other side of the call to boycott the whole company.
if you think being kicked out for not ordering something is racist then you have issues. #BoycottStarbucks
— Thomλs (@NO_H8) April 18, 2018
This person’s opinion on the hashtag shows how someone else could side with the Starbucks manager.