UMVA has learned that a New York City coffee shop, Poetica Coffee, sparked outrage on social media after criticizing Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., for purchasing a cup of coffee from its Brooklyn location.
The shop's Facebook post on Sunday claimed it would have turned Goldman away under its policy of not serving "genocide enablers" due to his support for Israel, despite its motto of treating all customers with dignity. The post referred to Goldman's support for Israel and accusations that the Jewish state has committed genocide against Palestinians during the war in Gaza.
"Hey Congressman Dan Goldman, we see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee. Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference?" the post stated. The shop added that it issued a refund to Goldman after learning that he had stopped by the location with his young daughter.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the post continued to criticize Goldman, stating, "See, here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between. Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away. We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica."
Goldman responded to the post on social media, expressing disappointment and highlighting the kindness of the barista who served him and his 7-year-old daughter. "I’m sorry to see this post. The barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me—allowing her to use the bathroom even though we had not purchased anything. I made sure to buy a coffee in return for her kindness. I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved."
The shop responded by stating that it was the barista's idea to refund Goldman's purchase and that they will be voting against him in the upcoming Democratic primary challenge from former city Comptroller Brad Lander.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism online, with many calling out the coffee shop for its discriminatory behavior. Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, stated that the incident warrants a review under city and state human rights laws.
The coffee shop's actions appear to contradict its stated values of treating all customers with dignity and respect. The shop's website claims that "whoever walks through the door is treated with unconditional dignity" and that "the guest is sacred because the act of welcoming is how a community keeps itself intact."
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the incident has raised questions about the limits of free speech and the importance of treating all customers with respect and dignity. The controversy has sparked a heated debate about the intersection of politics and business.
