Bosses broke silence following the ‘stressful’ incident
The incident took place at Black Medicine Coffee Co(Image: Instagram: eu_jps)
Bosses at a popular Edinburgh cafe have issued a statement after the University of Edinburgh’s principal was confronted by angry protestors inside the eatery.
Staff from Black Medicine Coffee Company took to social media to break silence on the “stressful” incident that took place on April 1.
They said their staff “stepped in” to ask individuals to leave after Principal Peter Mathieson was “approached in a way that caused distress and created a stressful situation” for staff and other customers.
Pro-Palestine demonstrators are understood to have been protesting university investments and staff wages. The university is facing £187 million in cuts and staff members belonging to the University College Union Edinburgh were set to strike from March 30 through April 3, 2026.
Black Medicine stated they have “previously expressed solidarity with Palestine and believe in the importance of peaceful protest” but the “cafe is not a place for confrontation”.
A spokesperson from the University of Edinburgh said they “unequivocally condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms” while they also “see protest as very much part of the life of a university”.
Black Medicine’s full statement reads: “We are aware of a video circulating showing an incident at our cafe. Our priority is simple: everyone who walks into our space should feel safe, respected, and able to enjoy their time. Harassment or intimidation of any kind is not acceptable in our space.
“In this instance, a customer was approached in a way that caused distress and created a stressful situation for our staff and other customers present.
“Our team stepped in, asked the individual to leave, and when this was not respected, acted to de-escalate and bring the situation to and end. We regret the discomfort caused to those in the cafe.
“Our staff responded in a fast-moving situation with the aim of protecting customers and maintaining a safe environment.
“We recognise how stressful this experience was for our team and those present, and we are currently reviewing the incident internally, including how it was handled.
“We will also be reviewing our policies and staff training to ensure our team is supported and continues to respond appropriately in challenging situations.
“We want to be clear: we respect people’s right to hold and express strong views, and we have consistently supported humanitarian causes and communities affected by conflict. This incident does not change those values.
“We have previously expressed solidarity with Palestine and believe in the importance of peaceful protest. However, our cafe is not a place for confrontation, and our responsibility is to maintain a safe and respectful environment for everyone present.
“We remain committed to treating everyone with respect and to creating a space where people feel comfortable and cared for. Thank you to our team and customers for their understanding.”
A University of Edinburgh spokesperson said: “The University’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor was subjected to harassment and personally threatening behaviour by protestors during a work meeting at an off-campus premises today.
“While we see protest as very much part of the life of a university, actions that create a hostile and intimidating environment for any member of our community are completely unacceptable.
“We unequivocally condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms and will investigate and respond to it in an appropriate and proportionate way.”
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
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