British-American actor Michael Malarkey throws away Starbucks coffee amid boycott

British-American actor Michael Malarkey made a bold statement during a recent event by discarding a Starbucks coffee cup placed for him, urging his fans to boycott the brand over its support for Israel amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

A video circulating on social media captured Malarkey sitting on stage when he picked up the coffee cup and realised it was from Starbucks. 

Upon noticing the brand, the actor immediately put the cup down, stood up, and removed it from his table.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t realise it was Starbucks coffee,” Malarkey said, addressing the audience. He explained that he does not drink Starbucks, having boycotted the brand, and urged others to do the same.

Social media users widely praised the Lebanese-origin actor for taking a firm and public stance on one of the world’s most pressing issues, while many high-profile figures have remained silent about the atrocities in Gaza.

Michael Malarkey is best known for his portrayal of Lorenzo “Enzo” St. John in season 5 of the American television series The Vampire Diaries. 

Malarkey’s grandfather, Suheil Bushrui, was a renowned Palestinian poet.

Starbucks, the global coffee giant, reported a 7 percent reduction in global sales for the July-September quarter, marking its third consecutive quarter of decline.

The downward trend is reflected in the company's full fiscal year results, with a 2 percent drop in comparable store sales and a 25 percent decrease in earnings per share to 80 cents.

The company's consolidated net revenues also declined by 3 percent to $9.1 billion for the 52-week period ending September 29.

Experts suggested that Starbucks' financial woes may also be linked to the growing global boycott movement protesting the company's ties to Israel. 

The coffee chain has faced intense criticism and protests worldwide for its perceived support of Israel's actions in Gaza.

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that at least 44,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, with women and children accounting for the majority of victims, since October 7, 2023.