James Cromwell is lending a hand to those protesting Starbucks over its vegan milk up-charges.
On Tuesday, May 10, the Oscar-nominated actor superglued his hand to the counter of a New York City Starbucks to bring attention to the issue. He was joined by members of PETA who are also fighting the coffee giant for charging more for vegan milk, but giving dairy milk away as a courtesy.
With his right hand unable to move, the "Succession" actor read from a statement and called the milk issue "senseless" and done for "greed."
James, who donned a "Free The Animals" shirt, argued that non-dairy milk alternatives such as soy, oat and almond are better for the planet and animals.
"Your understanding and support of this is essential," he said while sitting on the counter as supporters flanked him.
Video of the incident shows Starbucks employees working and seemingly unfazed by the glue-in protest.
"My friends at PETA and I are calling on Starbucks to stop punishing kind and environmentally conscious customers for choosing plant milks," James said. "We all have a stake in the life-and-death matter of the climate catastrophe, and Starbucks should do its part by ending its vegan upcharge."
Many critics note that Starbucks doesn't charge for vegan milk in other countries.
About 16 minutes into the protest, police arrived. A police officer appeared to be flabbergasted after being told James and another man glued their hands to the counter. Most the supporters soon left the coffee shop upon police suggestion, but James and another man continued to be glued to the counter. The men eventually unglued themselves — while the store was temporarily closed — after being threatened with arrest.
Starbucks' up-charging for vegan milk has caught the attention of others, as well. In March, Paul McCartney penned a letter to outgoing Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson asking for a change to the chain's policy on up-charging Americans for plant-based milks.
"My friends at PETA are campaigning for this to happen and I have agreed to support them with the quote: 'Sir Paul is asking Starbucks to end its surcharge on plant milks,' and I sincerely hope that for the future of the planet and animal welfare you are able to implement this policy," he wrote before signing off.