Businesses harassed for BLM support

Some eateries in Eugene feel they've been targeted as a result of supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

Be put back up.

Many businesses in our area have shown support for the black lives matter movement that's gained traction across the country -- for the past several months.

But for some -- it comes at a cost.

Kezi 9 news reporter julian mininoshn spoke with one local coffee shop -- who says ever since they put up b-l-m signs out front -- they've recieved a lot of backlash -- and even death threats.

(julian) liberty espresso has been getting a lot of hate mail and angry customers after adding black lives matter signage around their shop.

Owner katie stowe says it's been happening at least once a week.

(katie) "we have customers come up and call us all sorts of names.

I've had people throw their stamp cards at us saying that they'll never come back."

Stowe says they've even received death threats and letters like this one - asking to stop the support for the black lives matter movement.

(katie) "initially we were heart broken.

But now it's so regular that it's just unfortunate."

Stowe says she is somehwat concerned for employee safety and for her business.

She says some of her regular customers have stopped buying their coffee.

(katie) "they actually wait in line just to tell us 'i'm never coming back here again.'" despite the loss in sales, stowe says she plans on keeping the signs.

(katie) "and if i can't find anymore signs i'm going to paint it on our windows.

Until this movement is going towards something that isn't what i think is right, then i'm going to stand right on for it."

(julian) coming up at 6 i