Bushwick businesses have very different ideas on how to use social media to connect with their patrons. Most of them post pictures of delicious looking food, but one Bushwick business decided to take a different route. The Coffee Shop located at 203 Wilson Ave have been posting anti-Semitic rants on their Instagram account, as Brokelyn spotted earlier today.
On their Instagram account, The Bushwick Coffee Shop calls Jews “greedy infiltrators” who “want piece of all of Bushwick” and “function via greed and dominance” [sic] and goes on a disturbing, lengthy anti-Semitic rant:
Ok, what I REALLY want to talk about is how to consider the Jews (oh yes, let’s talk about it) who want a piece or all of Bushwick. My stubborn Bushwick-oroginal neighbor is a hoarder and a mess- true.. and he’s refused selling his building for lots and lots of money. His building and treatment of it makes the hood look much less attractive and I would like him to either clean up or move along. BUT NOT be bought out by Jews however, who in this case (and many cases separate- SORRY!) function via greed and dominance. A laymen’s terms version of a story would simply be- buying buildings, cutting apartments in half, calling them luxurious, and ricing them at double. Bushwick IS rising and progressing, and bettering, but us contributing or just appreciating this rise and over all positive change do not want to be lumped with greedy infiltrators. Two jewish young men with generally rude behavior (one more than the other) ordered coffee, and explained how they were looking for this neighbor of mine. I knew what was up and asked where are they visiting from. When asked where I’m from I firmly and confidently said “HERE. This is my neighborhood, it’s where I come from.” They began to lighten up and almost kiss as a bit. I openly said “looking to buy the building?” They said yes and I explained how this man has been asked to sell for large amounts of money many times- which is true. So I said “Good luck with that. But if you’re going to come here ya gotta be nice”. If you know me you’ll know what my eyes looked like. You know!- when they have the look of death within them. They one guy smiled. And they both knew where I stood. The one who had a slightly more aggressive behavior let that go fast after our initial meeting n which they experienced my confidence… and then at the end gave me his card and asked if I’d contact him when I see my neighbor. He said.. and I quote “I’ll treat you right” Whatever exactly that meant. But I did say if you come here you have to be good. We’ll see what happens from here.
The followers of The Bushwick Coffee Shop didn’t like these statements one bit and many of them protested in comments:
This is just terrible. You guys suck! This is just sickening.
Despicable bigoted bile straight out of Mein Kampf. #antidefamationleague #racist #antisemitism #stampouthate
I’ve never wanted so badly for another Starbucks to come to Brooklyn.
The Bushwick Coffee Shop opened on Wilson Ave in July 2014 and is owned by Michael Avila who grew up in Bushwick. Avila told Bushwick Daily in July: “At the time it was a horrible neighborhood, and our mom worked hard and got us out of here. I’m happy to see it turn around. It’s interesting being hispanic here. I have a very progressive outlook – I think all of this is so good for everybody if they would get involved.”
We called the phone number listed at The Bushwick Coffee Shop’s Facebook page for a comment, however we have not received any answer at the time of publishing of this post.
Well, truly “progressive outlook,” Mr. Avila. Guys, you know where not to get coffee in Bushwick…
UPDATE: Michael Avila confirmed on his personal Facebook page that it was him who had posted the above statements on The Coffee Shop’s Instagram:
And in the mean time the discussion on The Coffee Shop’s Facebook page continues too:
UPDATE: cca 9PM October 2, 2014, The Coffee Shop posted some sort of an apology on their website. As one of the commenters pointed out, it was rather a coy apology….
UPDATE: October 3, 2014: The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry, called upon Michael Avila to make a true apology for his offensive and anti-Semitic remarks. ADL wrote:
“Mr. Avila opened his establishment to serve the diverse community that resides in Bushwick and has deeply offended the Jewish community as well as the entire borough of Brooklyn,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “His public attack on his Jewish neighbors is both disgraceful and anti-Semitic.”
In response to the outcry over his original statements, Mr. Avila said, “I’m anti-Zionism. It’s about politics, it’s about greed…I’m certainly not anti-Semitic. That would stand against everything I believe I stand for.”
“Mr. Avila’s attempt to mask and justify his anti-Semitic tirade by claiming his views towards Jews are motivated by politics – rather than religion – is a feeble attempt at contrition,” Mr. Bernstein said. “We call on Mr. Avila to work to understand the evils of anti-Semitism and bigotry and accept full responsibility for his statements. We welcome the opportunity to sit down with him to help him understand the history of anti-Semitism and its impact on the Jewish community.”
UPDATE: October 3, 2014: Yelp users hate on the wrong coffee shop and attack the page of already close Bushwick Coffee House. #sigh
