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<\/p>\nBosses broke silence following the ‘stressful’ incident<\/p>\n
The incident took place at Black Medicine Coffee Co(Image: Instagram: eu_jps)<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Staff from Black Medicine Coffee Company took to social media to break silence on the “stressful” incident that took place on April 1.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Pro-Palestine demonstrators are understood to have been protesting university investments and staff wages. The university is facing \u00a3187 million in cuts<\/a> and staff members belonging to the University College Union Edinburgh were set to strike<\/a> from March 30 through April 3, 2026.<\/p>\n 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”.<\/p>\n 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”.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “Our staff responded in a fast-moving situation with the aim of protecting customers and maintaining a safe environment.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “We will also be reviewing our policies and staff training to ensure our team is supported and continues to respond appropriately in challenging situations.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n A University of Edinburgh spokesperson said: \u201cThe University\u2019s Principal and Vice-Chancellor was subjected to harassment and personally threatening behaviour by protestors during a work meeting at an off-campus premises today.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe unequivocally condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms and will investigate and respond to it in an appropriate and proportionate way.\u201d<\/p>\n Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n