The hashtag “Boycott Starbucks” is trending on Twitter Inc.’s TWTR social media platform in the U.S. after coffee chain Starbucks Corp. SBUX suspended COVID-19 vaccine-or-test requirement for its U.S. employees.
What Happened: The hashtag was among the top ten trending topics on Twitter in the U.S. on Wednesday.
Starbucks made the announcement in a memo sent to workers on Tuesday and cited a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling for its decision, as per a report by Reuters.
The Seattle-based company’s decision was criticized by consumers on social media and the hashtag gained traction since Wednesday afternoon.
Artist and author Barbara Johansen Newman supported the boycott of Starbucks.
Patronize businesses that require vaccinations and boycott those that don’t. #BoycottStarbucks https://t.co/nmyTDTKjwh
— Barb Johansen Newman (@JohansenNewman) January 19, 2022
Another Twitter user said she will not go to Starbucks or other businesses that do not require workers to be vaccinated.
I will not go to Starbucks or anywhere that does not require workers to be vaxxed. Our health is worth self-advocating for. #boycottstarbucks https://t.co/ZriCP4dxWT
— Susan Martin NO DMs! (@SoCalSusan) January 19, 2022
Others such as conservative activist Scott Presler supported the company’s decision.
In honor of Starbucks rescinding the vaccine mandate for employees,
— #ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) January 19, 2022
I’m going to sit at a Starbucks w/ my “Joe Biden left Americans behind in Afghanistan” laptop. #BoycottStarbucks pic.twitter.com/B0o9EOoAzq
See Also: How To Buy Starbucks (SBUX) Stock
Why It Matters: Starbucks' announcement comes just weeks after the company said all employees would be required to be vaccinated by Feb. 9 or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing.
Starbucks had previously faced boycott calls across social media in June last year after a report said the company banned retail employees from wearing anything related to “Black Lives Matter.”
Price Action: Starbucks closed almost 0.9% lower in Wednesday’s regular trading session at $96.87, but rose 0.4% in the after-hours session to $97.28.
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