Dozens of activists from the #EndJewHatred organization and their supporters rallied outside Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn on Wednesday morning to protest the coffee shop’s treatment of U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman after employees rescinded service to him based on his political views.
Protestors stood behind police barriers set up within a large radius on a sunny June 24 morning near Poetica’s Williamsburg location to tell the shop and its owner, Parviz Mukhamadkulov, that they “will never quietly accept racist discrimination” against Jews.
“If this kind of discrimination becomes normal, it will not stop with one customer or one coffee shop,” a spokesperson for #EndJewHatred said. “Racism is wrong. Antisemitism is wrong. Targeting Jews will not be tolerated.”
The protest was mostly peaceful, though the NYPD had to remove a Jewish member of the Neturei Karta organization who showed up as a counter-protester, according to Reuters. A small group of counterprotestors used megaphones to chant “Free Palestine” to the pro-Israel demonstrators.
In response, the pro-Israel activists repeatedly chanted back, “End Jew hatred!”
Members of the New York City Police Department remove a Jewish member of the Neturei Karta organization that supports the Palestinian people, as he tries to confront protesters during an ‘#EndJewHatred’ rally outside Poetica Coffee, following a social media post by the shop targeting Jewish Congressman Dan Goldman and denying service to pro‑Israel customers, in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., June 24, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
The protest came just days after Goldman purchased a coffee at the shop while campaigning to maintain his seat representing parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, which he wound up losing to former City Comptroller Brad Lander in the primary election on Tuesday.
Poetica posted on social media that staffers had digitally refunded Goldman nearly $10 for his coffee, once they recognized who he was.
“Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away,” part of the lengthy post read. “We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica.”
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on X (formerly Twitter) on June 22 that its Civil Rights Division opened an investigation into the incident.
A demonstrator gestures as protesters gather during an ‘#EndJewHatred’ rally outside Poetica Coffee, following a social media post by the shop targeting Jewish Congressman Dan Goldman and denying service to pro‑Israel customers in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., June 24, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
Members of #EndJewHatred – which is both an organization and a movement – said the Poetica Coffee incident with Goldman is indicative of a broader trend of hostility toward Jewish people and supporters of Israel.
Demonstrators called on businesses to serve customers regardless of their personal political beliefs and opinions. Goldman has been one of the strongest pro-Israel voices among New York Democrats in Congress, and has not strayed from supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorists.
Despite his strong stance on protecting Israel, he has also called for safe zones and humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war that led to a conflict, leaving thousands of people dead.
Goldman spoke about his Poetica experience with CNN’s Laura Coates. He said he had a “nice” encounter with the staffer who served him, but said the experience was a reflection on a sad state of affairs.
“What is going on in the Middle East is horrific. The idea of accusing someone you don’t know of supporting a genocide, it’s crazy,” the Congress member said. “Now, I may disagree as to whether or not there is a genocide, but come on. We are better than this. We have to stop dividing ourselves so much, and try to find a common ground and unify.
Protesters hold placards as they gather during an ‘#EndJewHatred’ rally outside Poetica Coffee, following a social media post by the shop targeting Jewish Congressman Dan Goldman and denying service to pro‑Israel customers in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., June 24, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
The controversy has drawn strong opinions on social media, where supporters of Goldman criticized Poetic’s actions while others defended the shop’s move as a form of political expression.
“I wasn’t a big Dan Goldman fan, but the way he handled this bigoted hatred with class and generosity has me reconsidering him,” was one of many pro-Goldman messages.
Support for Poetica has been growing online, too.
“All money isn’t good money. I applaud you for upholding your morals,” was one comment on Poetica’s social media page.
Many commenters also poked fun at Goldman getting a free $10 coffee.
“Well that’s an easy free coffee,” one poster said. Another person added, “If I come in and say I support Dan, can I get a free coffee?’
Civil rights attorney from #EndJewHatred, Brooke Goldstein, spotlighted the NYPD during the protest and claimed Mayor Zohran Mamdani was not doing enough to support the department.
“We know that while the mayor wants to defund you, we will never let that happen,” she said. Since becoming mayor, however, Mamdani has not publicly called to “defund” the NYPD; he has signed off on hiring nearly 600 additional officers as the NYPD continues to bolster its headcount amid a wave of retirements. He previously vowed to maintain the NYPD’s current headcount.