Hollywood Star Superglues Himself to Starbucks Counter over Vegan Milk Charge
James Cromwell protests after being charged extra for plant-based milk
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Hollywood actor James Cromwell has superglued himself to a Starbucks counter in protest after the coffee company charged him extra for vegan milk.
The Oscar-nominated actor, who plays Cousin Greg's grandfather on the hit TV show "Succession," took part in the PETA demonstration on Tuesday.
After starring in the 1995 movie "Babe" as farmer Arthur Hogget, Cromwell famously became a vegetarian and animal rights activist.
The 82-year-old actor superglued one of his hands to the counter of a New York City Starbucks while wearing a "Free the animals" t-shirt.
He blasted the coffee chain's upcharge of vegan milk, claiming it was harmful for the environment.
He also alleges that the extra charge is somehow discriminatory against lactose intolerant customers of color.
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In a protest that was live-streamed to Facebook by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) activists, the “L.A. Confidential” actor superglued himself to the counter before delivering a statement about the company’s surcharge for vegan milk options.
WATCH:
“Babe” & “Succession” actor James Cromwell superglued himself to the counter of a Starbucks café in New York City on Tuesday to protest of the chain’s policy of charging extra for plant-based milk https://t.co/8ud32BWh0k pic.twitter.com/Zx0bb2LvMD
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 10, 2022
Cromwell argued that vegan milk options were better for the environment.
He also claimed that charging more for them was discriminatory — particularly because minorities suffer from lactose intolerance at a higher rate than white Americans do — but also because he felt that those who chose vegan options as a matter of conscience were being penalized for making a moral choice.
“When will you stop raking in huge profits while customers, animals, and the environment suffer?” Cromwell asked, arguing that in order to provide the dairy products used at Starbucks, animals were subjected to “violence.”
“When will you stop penalizing people for their ethnicities, their morals?"
The protest concluded with a chant: “Save the planet, save the cows.
"Stop the vegan upcharge now!”
Cromwell and one other PETA activist — who had also glued himself to the counter — unattached themselves without incident about 30 minutes later.
The report did not indicate whether any charges were filed, although a similar protest at the company’s Seattle headquarters had led to the arrest of two protesters.
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Legendary musician Paul McCartney has also called on Starbucks to end the surcharge for plant-based milks, although he opted to write a letter rather than glue himself to a cafe counter.
"It recently came to my attention that Starbucks in the USA has an extra charge for plant-based milks as opposed to cow’s milk,” McCartney wrote earlier this year.
"I must say this surprised me as I understand that in other countries like U.K. and India, there is the same charge for both types of milk and I would like to politely request that you consider this policy also in Starbucks USA.
"My friends at PETA are campaigning for this to happen …
"I sincerely hope that for the future of the planet and animal welfare you are able to implement this policy.”
