... Starbucks is committed to treating people with dignity and respect everywhere we do business. We take our commitment to “performance through the lens of humanity” seriously. This is in line with our commitment to advancing respect for internationally recognized human rights for all people as outlined in our Global Human Rights Statement. This also includes respecting the rights of individuals and groups—among them labor organizers and union members—to assemble peacefully and to advocate for rights related to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Our policies and practices are designed to prevent interference with these rights.

We also have well-established practices to avoid escalation during demonstrations. Starbucks engages law enforcement as a last resort measure, when necessary to ensure the safety of our partners (employees), customers, and members of the public.

Review of December 2025 Allegations

Following an internal review of the events described in the Civicus Monitor and Carson Now articles, we clarify the following:

• New York, Empire State Building (December 2025): The parties in question blocked the entrance to the Empire State Building, which permits public access to the building. The entrance was being physically blocked by a number of people protesting. It is our understanding that the authorities and building owner considered this action during the demonstration to have created a fire safety and public safety issue. The landlord for the Empire State Building initiated police action, not Starbucks.
• Carson City Roasting Plant, Minden, Nevada (December 2025): At this facility, engagement with law enforcement was initiated as a last resort measure in response to serious safety concerns that arose from a crowd of protestors gathering outside the facility, blocking ingress and egress from the main entrance to the Roasting Plant. They placed parked vehicles at the entrance to the facility, preventing distribution and other vehicles from entering, and creating an unsafe situation for all. Protestors were given multiple warnings before law enforcement issued citations to those who continued to block access points and create unsafe conditions, although no formal arrests were made.
• York Roasting and Distribution Plant, York County, Pennsylvania (December 2025): Protestors physically prevented people from entering and exiting the facility on two separate occasions by placing a chain and padlock on an exit gate, locking in employees, conducting stops and searches of vehicles seeking to leave the facility, parking vehicles in front of the entrance to prevent anyone from entering or leaving, and harassing employees attempting to access or leave the facility. This conduct is more consistent with intimidation, fear, and threats of violence than with the defense of human rights or peaceful protest. It created significant safety concerns at the location and generated genuine fear on the part of our partners for their personal safety, as well as that of others who were unable to leave the facility. After the group returned the second time, again blocking ingress and egress after having been peacefully dispersed, law enforcement made arrests - after giving multiple warnings. The decision to pursue charges was made solely by the York County District Attorney’s Office...