Quote:
Originally Posted by WhiteTiger
So? They didn't do anything wrong.
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I am sure the potential was there for lawsuits that they overstepped their bounds. That they acted in a way that infringed on civil rights.
I know lots in this thread have taken a black/white (no pun intended) stance that because Starbucks had the no loitering policy, that once they called the cops, the cops had no choice but to arrest them. And that's just simply not true. Cops have the discretion to enforce the law as they see fit. If I am speeding, they can give me a warning. Similarly, if I am in a Starbucks and haven't purchased anything, they can give me the chance to leave. (ESPECIALLY, if, as in this case, the patrons hadn't truthfully been asked to leave, AND other patrons of a pasty skin tone were guilty of the exact same 'crime' but faced no consequences.)
The vast majority of the blame is on Starbucks but lets not act as if this isn't yet another unfortunate example of police in the US showing absolutely zero restraint when people of color are involved.