Photo by Victoria Hernandez.
The new owner of the Bishop Arts-born Emporium Pies is receiving both support and backlash in regard to the company’s stance on Immigration and Customs Enforcement following the news that a manager quit over the policy.
White Rhino Coffee serves coffee at over a dozen locations throughout the Metroplex and recently purchased Emporium Pies last month.
In a post shared Thursday, Jan. 22, Margot Stacy, former manager of the White Rhino downtown location, announced her resignation was due to her employer requiring staff to serve immigration agents and provide them with a first responder discount.
According to an article by KERA, Stacy told the outlet that at least 11 other staff members quit that day.
The resignations came leading into the weekend when thousands of demonstrators joined Minneapolis protests amid rising tensions following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer earlier this month. At a Minnesota protest on Saturday, Jan. 24, Alex Pretti was also fatally shot after filming Customs and Border Protection officers.
White Rhino Coffee shared a statement via social media on Sunday, Jan. 25, stating: “We have clarified our policy to clearly define who qualifies for our first responder discount and community to all employees that federal agents (including ICE) are not considered first responders under our company policy, therefore should not receive a discount.”
The original post has since been removed and updated to remove any mention of ICE. The following is the closing paragraph of the new statement:
“In short: we love everyone. No matter who you are, what you believe, or what your job is, White Rhino wants to be a place where all of our guests can feel comfortable sitting at our table and enjoying our products. We do not tolerate hate, divisive behavior or anything of the sort in our community or company. While we understand any employee’s principles may prompt them to take a more direct stance on any position (and we respect that), as a company dedicated to trying to create community, it is our compassionate, direct intent not to ever take action that could be seen as divisive in any respect. We love everyone, serve everyone, and genuinely pray for peace in this country, in every home, and in every group.”
The Oak Cliff Advocate reached out to Emporium Pies and White Rhino Coffee but has not received a response. The pie shop has not posted any statement regarding the policy.
