Customers Plan To Boycott Starbucks And Uber Over Travel Ban
You know that old saying, “can’t win for losing?” Well that’s exactly how Uber and Starbucks are probably feeling right now.
Customers of Uber and Starbucks are planning boycotts due to the companies’ responses to President Trump’s executive order that effectively banned citizens of seven countries from entering the United States.
You’ve probably already heard of why #DeleteUber began trending over the weekend. Uber continued to service rides to JFK airport during the midst of a large protest over the ban. New York City taxi drivers refused to service the airport Saturday evening to stand with protesters.
Furthermore, many Uber users were already frustrated with the company’s CEO Travis Kalanick’s participation in an economic forum with Trump. The CEO defended his meeting with Trump in an email that was obtained by abc action news:
“We’ve taken the view that in order to serve cities you need to give their citizens a voice, a seat at the table,” Kalanick said. “We partner around the world optimistically in the belief that by speaking up and engaging we can make a difference. Our experience is that not doing so shortchanges cities and the people who live in them. This is why I agreed in early December to join President Trump’s economic advisory group.”
Kalanick also said that about 12 drivers for the company are unable to return to the states due to the ban. He has vowed that Uber would pay for the drivers’ lost wages and legal assistance, but most believe that gesture just simply isn’t enough and are still opting to use Uber’s competitor, Lyft.
While customers are boycotting Uber for their “lack” of generosity to those affected by the ban, others are boycotting Starbucks for their support of those involved in the ban.
The coffee chain promised to fire 10,000 refugees across the world over the next five years. This program will be similar to one Starbucks launched in 2014 to hire 10,000 U.S. veterans by 2018.
Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO, told abc action news on Sunday that the company stands for refugees and children brought to the nation by parents who are undocumented immigrants. Schultz condemned the administration’s decision to stop refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.
“In the face of recent events around the world, let me assure you that we will stay true to our values and do everything we can possibly do to support and invest in every partner’s well-being while taking the actions that are squarely within our ability to control,” Schultz said in a statement, obtained by abc action news. “This is our focus: providing a Third Place of respite for those around the world who seek it, daily.”
Starbucks has received a lot of praise for their stance, but there are others that are encouraging a boycott of the company.