New England Black Lives Matter supporters have found a new place to target cops: Dunkin' Donuts.
Owners of the popular chain coffeehouses in West Hartford, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island, are trying to clean up the public relations mess employees made by bringing racial activism to work.
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A West Hartford policeman starting his shift Saturday morning was told by a Dunkin’ Donuts employee, "He didn’t get the message. We don’t serve cops here," Fox CT reported Oct. 5.
The officer simply turned around and walked out the door.
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Michelle King, senior director for global public relations for Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc., issued a statement after the incident.
"We are aware of the situation at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 1234 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford. The crew member exhibited poor judgment and apologized immediately to the police officer. The franchise owner, a long-time supporter of local police, has also reached out to apologize on behalf of the restaurant. Dunkin' Donuts and our franchisees share a commitment to the well-being and fair treatment of all guests," King said.
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The officer was offered a free coffee, but he declined.
Another Dunkin' Donuts incident in Providence, Rhode Island, last Friday involved an officer whose coffee cup came inscribed with "#blacklivesmatter."
"So my co-worker just went to get a coffee at Dunkin' Donuts on Atwells Avenue in Providence," Officer William O'Donnell wrote on his Facebook page after the incident, Boston.com reported Sunday. "The worker was immediately rude, and didn’t appear to want to serve him in uniform. Upon leaving he noticed what she wrote on his coffee cup: #blacklivesmatter."
Multiple calls to the business by Boston.com went unanswered. Dunkin' Brands, however, issued a statement Sunday saying the officer received an apology.
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"Has it gotten to the point everywhere we go, do we have to wonder if someone is going to try and slip us something and without us knowing? Where does it end?" asked Mike Iamondi, Providence Police patrolman and Providence Fraternal Order of Police vice president, on Sunday, Go Local Prov. News reported.