Korean-Americans Call For Boycott Of McDonald's Where Patron Was Struck With Broom, Told 'We Don't Serve Coffee To People Like You'

On Tuesday, December 30, several Korean-American groups gathered in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, New York to boycott a local McDonald's where, earlier this year, a Korean customer had been struck with a broomstick by an employee.

According to The New York Times, Tuesday's protesters called for the restaurant and the McDonald's corporation to improve their standard of sensitivity training and customer service.

The rally marks the second time in a year that Korean community leaders have protested against the franchise.

In January, leaders called for a boycott of another McDonald's on Northern Boulevard after the restaurant called the police on several older Korean patrons who spent hours there each day and only ordered cups of coffee.

The second incident took place only a month later, when a 62-year-old man named James Jin Kim was struck by an employee after complaining about the long wait for service. A McDonald's employee reportedly remarked, "We don't serve coffee to people like you," and then, "Get out of my restaurant!"

Kim then took out his phone to record a video, and the employee walked around the counter to strike Mr. Kim on the hand, "barely missing his head and eyes," according to the lawsuit.

Nearly a year later, Kim's case received a new rush of community attention after footage from the altercation was broadcast on WCBS earlier this week.

In his lawsuit, Kim claims unlawful discrimination, civil battery, and assault, among other charges, and is seeking at least $10 million in damages.