Why a Brooklyn coffee shop banned a congressman from entering the store after he visited
Congressman Dan Goldman was told not to return to a Brooklyn coffee shop he visited with his 7-year-old daughter. Here’s what you need to know:
Federal authorities are investigating a Brooklyn coffee shop after the store said New York state Rep. Dan Goldman was not welcomed after visiting with his daughter.
In a now-deleted social media post, Poetica Coffee criticized a Jewish congressman currently up for re-election over his support for Israel.
The post also included a photo of Mr. Goldman standing at the register and said, “It looks like you stopped by our store today for coffee.”
“We do not serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocidal promoters, or anyone in between. Unfortunately, we did not recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away.”
The coffee shop then issued a refund to the deputy and instructed him never to visit the store, it continued.
In a statement, Goldman said the barista “couldn’t have been kinder” to his 7-year-old daughter, who had to go to the bathroom with him.
“I hope she at least gets the tip she deserves.”
In response to the post, Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, wrote that the Justice Department has opened an investigation into the store.
“Federal law prohibits public accommodations, such as coffee shops, from discriminating against patrons on the basis of race, religion, or national origin,” she said in the post.
“These actions are not only reprehensible, they may be illegal. The Office for Civil Rights has opened an investigation and will take law enforcement action where warranted.”
Poetica Coffee could not be reached for comment from the USA TODAY Network.
Goldman is currently running against former city auditor and mayoral candidate Brad Lander, who is backed by Mayor Zoran Mamdani.
