Coffee Shop Controversy in Idaho

A coffee shop in Idaho has seemingly restricted its social media accounts following criticism for expelling a pro-life group from its premises.

The incident occurred at Widahoe Roasters Coffee House in Driggs City, where the owner engaged with the group, likening them to the Ku Klux Klan, as captured in a video shared by Pro-Life Generation and its CEO, Kristan Hawkins.

“The backlash is just a reminder that we are making an impact. We will continue to show up. We will continue to tell the truth. And we will continue to fight for lives,” Hawkins stated.

She noted that her group was merely trying to gather peacefully when owner Jim Sheehan insisted they cease their pro-life advocacy.

“I don’t want to have group meetings here,” Sheehan stated in the footage shared by Hawkins.

When a woman from the group argued that they were simply meeting for the first time, Sheehan retorted, “I don’t care! Go to the public library! This is my workplace.”

The edited video displays a confrontation where Sheehan equates pro-lifers with the KKK. “I worked hard to get people to vote for women’s right to choose [abortions]. My wife and I don’t support this, and we have that choice because it’s our business,” he explained. He went on to say, “It’s like if the KKK asked me to meet here, I’d say no.”

When challenged by the woman, “So you’re saying pro-lifers are like the KKK? Is that what you mean?” Sheehan responded, “In my world, it’s a similar concept.” He reiterated his earlier request, saying, “I made it very clear. I asked you not to meet me here.”

Interestingly, at the beginning of the video, Sheehan had claimed, “Everyone is welcome.”

Subsequent posts online highlighted how the shop’s social media accounts were locked down shortly after the video began circulating.

Hawkins criticized the owner’s analogy, remarking, “They likened the United States to the KKK… even though Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger spoke for the KKK. We paid for the food. We were not protesting or disrupting anyone. We were just sitting together and having peaceful conversations. We were kicked out for being pro-life and working to protect babies.” She concluded, “But we are not backing down. The backlash is just a reminder that we are making an impact.”

Sheehan’s coffee shop previously hosted a handshake event for a Democratic Socialists of America candidate and organized a vigil for two leftist activists who were killed during a protest.

In response to a request for comments, Sheehan claimed that the video was “selectively edited to distort the interaction with the group.” He maintained that the group was not kicked out but rather asked to meet elsewhere. “I didn’t know how we could get rid of dozens of people,” he explained. He also mentioned that a request for them to refrain from holding meetings there had been made prior to the gathering.

One individual pointed out the store’s outdoor sign that reads, “EVERYONE WELCOME,” contrasting with Sheehan’s actions.

When interviewed, Sheehan had emphasized the importance of connection, stating, “That’s the ultimate reason we have this place. We want to be a beacon that everyone is welcome here.”