Actor James Cromwell in 2018 at the Los Angeles premiere of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.”
Chris Pizzello / Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP
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Chris Pizzello / Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP
Actor James Cromwell in 2018 at the Los Angeles premiere of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.”
Chris Pizzello / Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP
NEW YORK (AP) — Actor-activist James Cromwell went from “Succession” Uncle Ewan to real-life supergluin: He slammed his hand on the counter of a Starbucks in midtown Manhattan Tuesday to protest for the coffee chain’s additional charge for plant-based milk.
The 82-year-old Oscar nominee, known for “Babe: Pig in the City” and “LA Confidential,” channeled his role as the cantankerous, anti-capitalist brother of a billionaire media mogul to the protest organized by the rights group the animals. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Cromwell sat at the Starbucks counter wearing a “Free the Animals” T-shirt and read a statement decrying the surcharge on vegan milk alternatives.
“When will you stop making huge profits while customers, animals and the environment suffer?” he demanded as his fellow activists broadcast the protest on Facebook.
Cromwell taped his hand to the counter and then used a knife to scrape it off. Police said there were no arrests.
Starbucks outlets in the United States charge 50 cents to a dollar more for beverages made with plant-based milks.
“Customers can customize any beverage on the menu with a non-dairy milk, including soy milk, coconut milk, almond milk, and oat milk for an additional cost (similar to other beverage customizations, such as a espresso or additional syrup),” a Starbucks spokesperson said. in a sentence. “Prices vary market by market.”
The spokesman said Starbucks respects customers’ right to express their opinions “as long as it doesn’t disrupt our store operations.”
Cromwell, nominated for an Academy Award for his role as a farmer in “Babe,” is a veteran protester who was charged with trespassing in 2017 for disrupting an orca show at SeaWorld in San Diego.