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🇮🇱 Israel /Elections & Politics

DOJ probes coffee shop chain in New York after it bars pro-Israel US lawmaker

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • The U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division is investigating a New York City coffee shop chain.
  • The probe follows an online post by the shop stating it would have turned away pro-Israel U.S. Representative Dan Goldman.
  • Federal law prohibits public accommodations from discriminating based on race, religion, or national origin.

The U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has launched an investigation into a New York City coffee shop chain after it posted online that it would have refused service to pro-Israel U.S. Representative Dan Goldman had they recognized him during a recent visit. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced the probe, stating that an enforcement action would be pursued if warranted.

The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation and will bring an enforcement action if warranted.

— Harmeet DhillonAnnouncing the U.S. Justice Department's probe into the coffee shop.

"Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin," Dhillon stated on X/Twitter. Representative Goldman, a Democrat, visited Poetica Coffee in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with his young daughter. He reportedly went to the establishment so his daughter could use the restroom and purchased a coffee as a thank you.

Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin.

— Harmeet DhillonExplaining the legal basis for the investigation.

Poetica Coffee responded to Goldman's visit on Instagram with a post that read, "We don't serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers or anyone in between." The coffee shop added, "Too bad we didn't recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away." The shop also stated that it had issued a refund and concluded with, "Don't ever come to Poetica."

We don't serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers or anyone in between.

— Poetica CoffeeStated reason for potentially refusing service to customers.

The coffee shop's Instagram post was no longer visible by Monday, and its account appeared to have been deactivated. Representative Goldman is currently in a primary race against Brad Lander, with both candidates being Jewish. The investigation by the Justice Department underscores the legal framework in place to prevent discrimination in public accommodations.

Too bad we didn't recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away.

— Poetica CoffeeExpressing regret for not identifying and refusing service to U.S. Representative Dan Goldman.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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