Protests Erupt Outside Brooklyn Coffee Shop Over Controversial Politician Ban

Demonstrations at Poetica Coffee

A significant gathering of protesters took place outside Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn on Wednesday, following the café's announcement that it would deny service to a pro-Israel politician. The owner’s social media comments likening Israel to Nazi Germany sparked widespread backlash. Demonstrators chanted phrases like "End Jew hatred" and "This shall not stand," while a smaller group of counter-protesters, including members of Jews United Against Zionism, displayed Palestinian flags and voiced their opposition to Israel using a loudspeaker. Tensions escalated as both sides exchanged heated words until New York Police Department officers intervened to separate the groups into designated areas.

The protest was ignited by a social media post from Poetica Coffee regarding Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman, who had visited the café over the weekend. The café shared a photo of Goldman and provocatively questioned if his drink tasted like "genocide juice." In the same post, the establishment declared, "At Poetica, we do not serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between," suggesting that Goldman should not return.

Daniel Rosen, president of the advocacy group IMPACT, traveled from Israel to participate in the protest. He stated, "We will not permit businesses or individuals to discriminate against anyone, including Jewish people, simply for supporting Israel, which represents the only Jewish community globally." Reports indicate that the controversy has caught the attention of the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice, which has initiated an investigation into the incident. Officials have suggested that enforcement actions against the coffee shop may be forthcoming.

DOJ Investigation Initiated

On Monday, the Justice Department confirmed it had launched an investigation into the New York City coffee shop chain that publicly stated it would have refused service to pro-Israel Representative Dan Goldman had they recognized him during his visit. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon remarked on X, "The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation and will take enforcement action if necessary." She emphasized that federal law prohibits public accommodations, such as coffee shops, from discriminating against patrons based on race, religion, or national origin.

Goldman, a Democrat, visited Poetica Coffee in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, with his 7-year-old daughter on Sunday, as reported by The New York Times. The café acknowledged his visit on Instagram, stating, "We see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee." Goldman explained that he stopped by so his daughter could use the restroom and purchased a coffee to thank the staff for their assistance. Poetica Coffee reiterated, "We don't serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between," adding, "Too bad we didn't recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away." The coffee shop also mentioned that it issued a refund, concluding with, "Don't ever come to Poetica."