Starbucks bans employees from wearing clothes supporting Black Lives Matter

• Starbucks has barred its employees from wearing clothing or accessories that support Black Lives Matter, Buzzfeed News reported.
• "Clothing and accessories highlight Black Lives Matter do not currently adhere to policy," an internal memo said, adding that the "agitators" in the movement could "amplify divisiveness."
• One barista said the ban "prioritizes those who feel discomfort over Black lives."

"Black lives matter," Starbucks wrote on social media last week, amid widespread anti-racist protests in the United States and across the world. "We are committed to being a part of change."

"We will continue to work to confront bias and racism," the statement adds.

But Starbucks is curtailing its employees' ability to be a part of that work. The company has banned workers from wearing clothing or accessories that support the Black Lives Matter movement, according to an internal memo seen by Buzzfeed News.

That memo cites the company dress code, noting that workers cannot wear accessories that "advocate a political, religious or personal issue."

"Clothing and accessories highlight Black Lives Matter do not currently adhere to policy," the memo adds. "You can show support for black partners by wearing the Black Partner Network's 'Keep It Brewing' t-shirt."

Employees who spoke to Buzzfeed News noted that the company gives workers clothing and accessories that advocates for queer rights.

The memo adds that, according to Vice President of Inclusion and Diversity Zing Shaw, "there are agitators who misconstrue the fundamental principles of the Black Lives Matter movement — and in certain circumstances, intentionally repurpose them to amplify divisiveness."

It's not clear what "agitators" Shaw was referring to. President Donald Trump and Attorney General William Barr have argued that antifa has driven parts of the protests, but there's no evidence to support that claim. Starbucks did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

"My skin color incites violence at Starbucks. Should I not come to work?" Calvin Benson, a barista in Atlanta, said in an interview with Buzzfeed News.

The ban "prioritizes those who feel discomfort over Black lives," Benson, who is Black and trans, added.

The company assured its employees, through the memo, that it was listening to their concerns.

"We know your intent is genuine and understand how personal this is for so many of us," the memo says. "Our leaders are discussing how we can show up and stand united with our black partners, customers and community members while proudly wearing the green apron in our stores."

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