KY - Starbucks Boots College Dems

Starbucks claims that part of their mission is to create stronger communities and one of their big press claims is that they have a core committment to social responsibility. So why are they discouraging unobtrusive political participation in their stores by kicking out a meeting of college democrats?

NEWPORT -A group of Northern Kentucky Democrats who gathered to talk party politics were given the boot Wednesday night from a Newport Starbucks coffee shop.

According to several people who were at the gathering, two Starbucks employees approached the group while Campbell County Democratic Party Chairman Ken Mullikin was speaking shortly before 6 p.m.

The employees, who were described as stern by some and rude by others, told the 15 to 20 Democrats they had to leave the shop because it would not play host to a political gathering.

Read More after the jump.

According to the article, the group was not making any sort of disturbance, and there were only four other people in the store at the time of the gathering. Additionally, they had permission from a store employee to use the store, and this was their secong gathering.

I don't want to blow this out of proportion. It looks like all the students involved received apologies from Starbucks headquarters (although the corporate press office is playing the "see no evil, hear no evil" game and not commenting publicly on the matter), and they've been invited back to use the store in the future. But this is one of those little things that can put a dent into the health and effectiveness of a political group.

I've long argued that Democrats, especially those who are reaching out to and organizing young progressives, need to integrate their activities into the social and cultural fabric of the communities - be that a music community, a bar scene, or college campus. Making events friendly and part of the social life of your community brings in more people to your group, increases their involvement level, and makes for a healthier long-term movement. Just ask the folks at Drinking Liberally.

I don't know this college. Maybe there's not a lot around and Starbucks is that place, maybe not. But where would they have gone if Starbucks wasn't open to them? A campus dining hall or classroom? Not a good recipe for integrating your group's activities into campus social life.

So if you have a few seconds to spare today, give a call or send an email to the Starbucks corporate headquarters and ask them why College Democrats were kicked out of a Kentucky Starbucks just for talking about politics. Its not conducive to increased social responsibility or stronger communities. As part of their mission, I'd think that they'd care about that.

Update: Or better yet, ask them to tell their regional and store managers that unobtrusive politica gatherings are welcome in all Starbucks - Democrat or Conservative.

Starbucks Public Affairs department:(206) 447-1575 x52690
Company Comments Form