SAN DIEGO, Calif. A California woman took to social media to criticize a Starbucks barista for refusing to serve her because she didnt have on a mask. That barista ended up getting $100,000 dollars in donations.<\/p>\n
Now the spurned customer wants half of that money and is threatening to sue to get it.<\/p>\n
Amber Gilles says she posted a photo of barista Lenin Gutierrez after he asked her to wear a mask at Starbucks.<\/p>\n
The caption reads Meet Lenen from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause Im not wearing a mask. Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption.<\/p>\n
That post exploded online, and a GoFundMe to raise tip money for Gutierrez surpassed $100,000.<\/p>\n
Gilles claims she has medical problems preventing her from wearing a mask and that she was discriminated against. She also said she thinks masks are not effective.<\/p>\n
I get shortness of breath, dizziness and it messes with the heartbeat, said Gilles. And I do have asthma as well, and I do get maskne. So theres several things going on and not only that but it doesnt even work.<\/p>\n
She shared two pieces of paperwork to show what she calls a medical exemption. A 2015 doctors report she shared shows analysis of her uterus and an ovarian cyst.<\/p>\n
And a handwritten note with a San Diego chiropractors letterhead that she asked not to be shown on camera says she has underlying health conditions that prevent her from wearing a mask.<\/p>\n
She says her post about the experience is a First Amendment right.<\/p>\n
It was discrimination and everybody is okay with it and enabling and rewarding that kind of behavior, said Gilles.<\/p>\n
Gilles wants half of the money donated, which was given to Gutierrez in cash last week, and is threatening to sue.<\/p>\n
She says the lawyers shes spoken to about taking her case are expensive and she cant afford one yet so she started her own GoFundMe to raise legal fees.<\/p>\n
When asked if she has any apology or message to the public, Gilles replied: No absolutely not. I feel like I need the apology. Ive been discriminated against, Im the one whos sick.<\/p>\n
Starbucks now requires customers to wear facial coverings or masks in all 9,000 of its company-owned American stores.<\/p>\n
The mandate supersedes local laws in some states or cities that might not require wearing one.<\/p>\n
Customers who refuse to wear a mask inside can order using delivery, the drive-thru or curbside pickup, the company said.<\/p>\n
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See original here:<\/p>\n
Woman who refused to wear mask wants half of $100,000 donated to Starbucks barista - WANE<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SAN DIEGO, Calif. A California woman took to social media to criticize a Starbucks barista for refusing to serve her because she didnt have on a mask Continue reading