The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into a coffee shop in New York City, Poetica Coffee, after it criticized Congressman Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) on social media. The post indicated that Goldman should not have been served and should not return due to his support for Israel.
Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, confirmed the probe and emphasized that denying service based on race, religion, or national origin is against federal law. She mentioned that this denial could lead to possible enforcement actions under anti-discrimination laws.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, Poetica claimed it refunded Goldman after he visited the shop with his daughter. Had the staff recognized him, they implied he would have been refused service.
The post took a pointed tone, asking Goldman if he could differentiate their coffee from “genocide juice,” referencing his backing of Israel during the Gaza conflict. The coffee shop continued to assert they do not serve individuals they consider “racists,” stating that if staff had known he was there, they would not have served him. They also mentioned not needing his money, implying others would cover his expenses anyway.
Goldman expressed disappointment over the café’s comments, noting that the barista had treated him and his daughter kindly, granting them access to the restroom even without a purchase. He had made it a point to buy coffee for the barista in appreciation for her kindness.
In response, Poetica clarified that the refund decision was actually that of the barista. The post also indicated that the owner, who is running against former City Auditor Brad Lander in the Democratic primary, would vote against Goldman.
The incident has drawn swift criticism online, with various parties calling for accountability under human rights laws. An official response underscored the stance against genocide, but there wasn’t in-depth commentary from city officials or legal experts.
The backlash included remarks from Mark Trager, the CEO of the New York Jewish Community Relations Council, who noted the importance of evaluating the situation against local and state human rights standards.
Interestingly, this incident seems to contradict the welcoming ethos that Poetica’s owner, Parviz Muhammadkurov, expressed on the shop’s website. It features a description of a welcoming space for all, regardless of background.
This situation raises questions about how far personal beliefs should influence service in public establishments, and if a customer’s identity should be scrutinized before being served. The dialogue around it is ongoing and evokes a range of emotions from community members.
