The two black men who were arrested while waiting in a Starbucks last month have reached a settlement with the city of Philadelphia. Both will receive $1 each and the city will spend $200,000 to help young entrepreneurs.
Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson, both 23, were arrested on suspicion of trespassing on April 12th. The men are real estate brokers and were waiting on a third party for a meeting.
When the men asked to use the restroom before they had purchased anything, an employee said no, and they were eventually asked to leave. When they did not, an employee called the police.
Melissa DePino, a white woman present when the event transpired, recorded and shared it on social media, where went viral and ignited fiery criticism of Starbucks and the city of Philadelphia.
@Starbucks The police were called because these men hadn’t ordered anything. They were waiting for a friend to show up, who did as they were taken out in handcuffs for doing nothing. All the other white ppl are wondering why it’s never happened to us when we do the same thing. pic.twitter.com/0U4Pzs55Ci
— Melissa DePino (@missydepino) April 12, 2018
Starbucks did not press charges and the two were later released.
According to reports, this is what the two men asked for when they approached city officials and agreed not to file a lawsuit against Philadelphia or its employees.
“I am pleased to have resolved the potential claims against the City in this productive manner,” Mayor Jim Kenney of Philadelphia said in a statement. “This was an incident that evoked a lot of pain in our City, pain that would’ve resurfaced over and over again in protracted litigation.”
Starbucks has also reached an agreement with the two men which “includes a confidential financial settlement.”
Many have praised the men for their selfless act in the city settlement, citing their decision to give back to the community.
Seems we ALWAYS have to be the ones doing the teaching… and showing much needed grace.
— julius collins (@thejuicevox) May 2, 2018
They aren’t just showing grace, they are constructively and intelligently aiming to make the place they live better. I wish I was more like them.
— Jon Link (@jonny_link) May 3, 2018
Trump does not define us. America is full of good, decent, loving people, every race, creed, & color..we will work together to move this nation forward.
— Rose von Perbandt (@MiraclesArt) May 2, 2018
This act of selflessness deserves both wider applause, but acknowledgements from businesses matching these sums and giving these men platforms to lead change
— Dr David D-Gyimah (@viewmagazine) May 2, 2018
Holy shit do I admire these guys.
— Jon Link (@jonny_link) May 3, 2018
Unbelievable wisdom from these men. We (white men) don’t deserve them, but we so need them. Gorgeous souls.
— Darren Lund ⭐ (@darrenlund) May 3, 2018
