Two PETA protesters who superglue their hands on a Starbucks countertop in Chicago to substitute for plant-based milk are now facing charges.
Two unidentified men – one of whom was a Buddhist monk – found themselves in a difficult position after six other protesters left the premises when asked by police.
Video footage captured by a bystander shows a cop and a store manager pleading with two men to take out the protest.
“On arrival, officers saw eight protesters who were asked to leave by the store manager. Six protesters complied and two men remained at the scene,” the Chicago Police Department told The Post.
“Officers called the Chicago Fire Department, who were able to remove the perpetrators’ hands from the counter without any injuries,” the statement said.
Both the youths were arrested and taken into custody.
Video of the ordeal showed two men – one wearing a shirt that says “end the vegetarian milk duty” and the other wearing robe – causing a scene to stick their hands on the countertop.
“We are here with PETA at this Chicago location Starbucks to ask them to wake up and stop charging extra for plant-based, animal and earth-friendly milk options,” one protester told the crowd.
“No one should be penalized for choosing a permanent option.”
Typically, Starbucks locations charge 50 cents to a dollar more on drinks made from the company’s plant-based alternatives than on dairy milk.
PETA Vice President Tracy Reiman condemned the price hikes, saying they were “bad for the planet”.
“Starbucks’ punitive price on vegan milk is bad for cows, bad for the planet, and bad for lactose-intolerant customers, many of whom are people of color,” she said in a statement.
“PETA will stick to Starbucks like glue unless it agrees to drop the vegan upcharge.”
Starbucks previously issued a statement on the upcharge of plant-based milk alternatives.
“We respect the rights of our customers to respectfully express their opinion as long as it does not disrupt our store operations,” Starbucks previously said in a statement to the Washington Post. With respect to alternative milks, customers can customize any drink on the menu with non-dairy milks, including soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk, and oatmeal, for an additional cost (with additional additions such as espresso shots or syrups among others). Similar to drink customization).
“Pricing varies from market to market. Brewed Coffee, Iced Coffee, Cold Brew, and Americano Beverages all offer a sprinkling of alt-milk for free.
Starbucks did not immediately respond to the Post’s request for further comment.
