CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An Atlanta minister has come forward with video of security kicking him out of a North Carolina Starbucks. Why? Because the store's supervisor claims he did not see the reverend make a purchase.
It happened in November 2016, in Charlotte. 11Alive Investigator Andy Pierrotti spoke to Rev. Le'Marcus Cook, who explained why he is coming forward now.
"He said I haven't made a purchase here today," Cook said on the video. "I have made a purchase today."
When store security asked Cook to leave the Starbucks store, it came as a surprise.
"I wasn't bothering anybody," he said. "I was working on an assignment."
A few hours earlier, the doctoral student says he purchased coffee at the store, left for class, then returned to read. He says the store's supervisor did not notice him buying anything. But instead of speaking with him, Cook says the supervisor immediately called for security.
"And I asked him, why didn’t you come speak with me before getting the security officer? And at that moment, he states that because he had had a bad day and if he had come over to speak to me about the situation, then it would have gone another way.”
On the video, the supervisor said that he was having a rough night.
"I'm having a really rough night, and it wouldn't have gone well," the supervisor said.
"So, he called security on you without even speaking to you?" Pierrotti asked.
"That's correct," Cook replied.
"I was reminded of the 1950s and 1960s," Cook said. "That's what it felt like for me."
On the video, the security guard told Cook, "The police is standing right outside."
"That's just wrong," said Atlanta attorney Chris Stewart.
Stewart says Cook's goal isn't necessarily a lawsuit.
"This is trying to work with them to make sure that all of these big plans they have aren't just for this one rogue manager in Philly," Stewart said. "That this is something that's been happening culturally at your Starbucks across the country."
Cook says he's coming forward now because of what happened in Philadelphia last week, when two young black men waiting for a friend were arrested, leading to protests and apologies from both Starbucks and police.
"I came out because it happened to me, too," Cook said.
"The reason -- I totally understand why he waited and moved on with his life -- is that this happens to a lot to African Americans in predominantly white areas at some stores," Stewart said.
"If you could say anything to that manager, what would you say?" asked Pierrotti.
"Stop," Cook said. "Stop perpetuating ideologies that don't bring us together; that push us farther apart."
Since Thursday, 11Alive News has repeatedly reached out to Starbucks, requesting a response to Cook's video. So far, the company has yet to reply.
