Free Republic

Starbucks announced a new policy Saturday that allows anyone to sit in its cafés or use its restrooms, even if they don’t buy anything. The new policy comes five weeks after two black men who hadn’t bought anything were arrested at a Philadelphia Starbucks. Company executives have said its previous policies were loose and ambiguous, leaving decisions on whether people could sit in its stores or use the restroom up to store managers. […] The company said anyone can use its cafés, patios or restrooms without buying anything, but it noted workers should still call the police if someone is...

The arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia Starbucks started with a toilet: They asked to use the restroom. They hadn’t bought anything, at least not yet, which was reason for the manager to demand that they leave. Next came calls to the police, handcuffs, outrage, corporate apologies, plans for employee training, and conversations about race and policing that won’t end anytime soon. But it started with a toilet.