Starbucks has dropped plans to include the Anti-Defamation League in its upcoming anti-discrimination training after African-American activists claimed the group is racist.
According to Politico, the ADL will still help develop Starbucks' anti-discrimination policies after two black men were arrested in a Philadelphia Starbucks for refusing to leave after they asked to use the bathroom without ordering anything.
Starbucks responded with an apology, and is slated to close more than 8,000 of its locations across the United States on May 29 to conduct anti-discrimination training for its employees.
"When Starbucks asked for assistance, we agreed to help," ADL spokesman Todd Gutnick told Politico. "As to whether Starbucks may or may not now want to utilize our expertise, you should ask them."
The ADL helps combat anti-Semitism.
Starbucks spokesperson Jaime Riley told Politico the company will utilize the ADL as it works to stop discrimination moving forward, but the group will not play a role in the May 29 training sessions.
Starbucks announced in mid-April the ADL would participate in its efforts to combat discrimination, which drew fire from African-American activists.
Women's March organizer Tamika Mallory wrote on Twitter, "The ADL is CONSTANTLY attacking black and brown people."
The Washington, D.C. chapter of Black Lives Matter, meanwhile, called the ADL "ultra pro-cop."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.