Supporters raise over $60G for Starbucks barista blasted by ‘Karen’ attempting to flout mask mandate
The barista, Lenin Gutierrez, says he will use the money raised to pursue his passion for dance.
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Supporters raised over $60,000 for a Starbucks barista in San Diego who stood up to a woman attempting to flout a mask mandate and then threatening to call the police because he wouldn't serve her.
Social media has dubbed the woman, Amber Lynn Gilles, a "Karen" after she posted on a photo of the barista, Lenin Gutierrez, on Facebook with the caption "Meet lenen from Starbucks who refused to serve me cause I'm not wearing a mask. Next time I will wait for cops and bring a medical exemption."
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"Karen” is a deprecating term used to label a demanding white woman who displays a sense of overbearing entitlement in various societal confrontations.
Gilles received backlash from her post and instead, supporters created a GoFundMe, raising $63,714 as of Saturday in tips for the barista, who is also a dancer who aspires to teach children.
Gutierrez posted a video on Facebook thanking everyone who contributed and described the incident that occurred.
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"This is my side of the story and my opinions, nothing on behalf of Starbucks," he prefaced the video.
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Gutierrez said he was working at the front register when Gilles walked into the store without a mask on.
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"I asked her, "do you have a face mask?" and she told me 'no, I don't need one'," he said in the video.
Gutierrez said that before he was able to explain to her Starbucks policy that all customers wear a mask in the store, he said she "flips me off and she starts cursing up a storm."
He adds that Gilles left the store but then came back in, asked for his name and took a photo of him, and threatened to call the company's corporate office to complain.
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San Diego county requires everyone to wear face coverings in public, including when picking up food at restaurants or shopping at a store, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Gutierrez says the money that was raised on his behalf will go a long way towards helping him pursue his passion.