Two black men who were wrongfully arrested in late April at a Philadelphia Starbucks location agreed to reach a settlement with local authorities. Each man will get a symbolic $1 for what the media has deemed a “racist” arrest.
Donte Robinson and Rashon Nelson thought that was better not to sue the city. Instead, they are interested in the deployment of a pilot program that trains high school students into entrepreneurs.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney noted that if the two men had pursued a lawsuit in the case, everyone involved would have faced “high financial and emotional costs.” Instead, the municipality agreed to invest $200,000 in the pilot program.
The mayor unveiled that Robinson and Nelson contacted the city to find a way to make something positive out of the Starbucks incident.
Authorities will get the money from Philadelphia’s Finance Department budget. The two men will reportedly collaborate with the city to ensure the program is running smoothly.
Starbucks Reaches a Settlement Too
Authorities have asked the duo and their lawyers to come with recommendations and thoughts to push for equality in public spaces including coffees shops and retailers. When the mayor was asked if the program will benefit only students of color, the mayor replied that his office was still working on the details.
The law firm that represents the two men has not replied to a request for comment.
Earlier this week, Starbucks unveiled a financial settlement with the two men. The sum has not been disclosed as the dialogue between the two parties involved was ongoing.
The coffee chain also promised to fix the issues that led to the incident and to reaffirm its values. Starbucks promised to offer more details on the settlement in an upcoming public statement.
Image Source: Geograph.uk
