Activists from PETA have superglued themselves to Starbucks counters in an attempt to protest the company's additional charge for non-dairy milks.
On Wednesday, activists from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals could be seen in videos and photos storming into the café counter at Starbucks' headquarters while wearing t-shirts with messages reading 'Not Your Mom, Not Your Milk' and 'End Vegan Milk Upcharge'.
Per the official Starbucks website, the popular coffee company offers customers a wide-range of non-dairy milks, such as oat, coconut, soy, and almond.
However, as reported by The Independent, these plant-based options currently come with a $0.70 upcharge when added to a customer's drink order. Additionally, PETA says that cow's milk is Starbucks' biggest contributor when it comes to the company's carbon footprint.
Taking to Twitter on April 20, PETA shared images of its activists in their stores, along with the caption: "We’re not going anywhere @Starbucks! Literally, we’re superglued to your counter."
In a second tweet, the organization added: "We’re demanding that @Starbucks end the vegan milk upcharge because it’s better for humans, other animals, and the Earth!"
Attached to this second tweet was a link to a Facebook Live video showing the moment PETA activists took to the coffee chain and superglued themselves to the counters.
"LIVE from Starbucks HQ — activists have superglued themselves to the counter to get Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz's attention and demand they drop the ridiculous upcharge for vegan milk," the Facebook Live post is captioned.
In the video, the activists can be heard chanting: "Save the planet! Save the cows! Stop the vegan upcharge now!"
After an hour, police officers can be seen arriving at the Starbucks chain and talking to the two activists. PETA has since revealed on its website: "Two of the activists were arrested and are facing felony charges for their supergluing deed."
In the comments section of the Facebook Live video, many people were supportive of PETA's actions.
"Great job to these activists for *sticking* to their values," one person commented.
"Thank You for all you are doing to bring to light all these injustices and misinformation and unfairness," a second added.
When one Facebook user asked what they could do to help support the cause, PETA responded with a comment reading: "Please don't support Starbucks until they stop charging extra for vegan milk."
Over on Twitter, PETA also addressed former Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson stepping down as CEO last month:
"Starbucks gave @Kevin_Johnson a $60 million payout when he stepped down as CEO last month," the organization wrote. "That alone could’ve paid for 85,714,285 @Starbucks 70¢ upcharges on vegan milk. They have the money to stop upcharging consumers!"
On its website, Starbucks states: "We are committed to becoming resource positive – to give more than we take from the planet. We will store more carbon than we emit, eliminate waste and conserve and replenish more freshwater than we use."
One of the ways the company says it is helping to reach its goals is by "expanding plant-based menu options".
The Independent adds that 1,020 Starbucks chains throughout the UK abandoned the £0.40 ($0.54) additional charge for plant-based milk alternatives.
