Boycott Dunkin' Donuts!!
Netlore Archive: False rumor alleges that Arab employees of Dunkin' Donuts were seen celebrating after the September 11 terrorist attacks
Description: Email rumor
Circulating since: Sept. 2001
Status: False
Email example contributed by Sondra Butler, 19 September 2001:
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Attention all Americans: Boycott Dunkin Donuts!! In Cedar Grove, NJ, a customer saw the owner of a Dunkin Donuts store burn the U.S. flag. In another Dunkin Donuts store in Little Falls, a customer saw a U.S. flag on the floor with Arabic writing all over it. We are starting a nationwide boycott of all Dunkin Donuts. Please make sure this gets passed on to all fellow Americans during this time of tragedy. We Americans need to stick together and make these horrible people understand what country they are living in and how good they used to have it when we supported them. Numerous fastfood companies are at Ground Zero, giving away free food to volunteers. Where is Dunkin Donuts in all of this? Boycott Dunkin Donuts!!!!!! Pass it on. |
Comments: This and similar rumors targeting companies in cities across America ran rampant within days of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and continue to circulate. I've seen no information in news or government sources to substantiate any such allegations, nor to justify calls for boycotts of any companies.
In the case of Dunkin' Donuts specifically, the charges were investigated and found completely false. Police in Cedar Grove, New Jersey even examined store surveillance tapes from the day in question to confirm it. Sadly, by the time this rumor was debunked in the press, three employees of the store had already received threats of violence.
Divisive rumors born of anger, prejudice and fear are inevitable in times of crisis, sociologists tell us, because they give people a comforting sense of control -- however illusory -- by making it seem as though enemies among us can be easily identified and rooted out. In the end, however, any comfort they give is outweighed by the harm they cause by sowing disunity and endangering innocent people's livelihoods, not to mention their lives.
Following is a response to the rumors from Dunkin' Donuts Inc.:
Since September 11, there have been a number of incidents in which the patriotism of Dunkin' Donuts franchisees or their employees have been questioned.Some allegations have claimed employees celebrated news of the terrorist attacks. Dunkin' Donuts has investigated such claims by contacting franchisees, reviewing shop videotapes, and contacting consumers where possible. We have typically found that consumers making these allegations have not in fact witnessed an incident, but are merely repeating rumors created by others.
Other allegations have claimed shop owners declined to display the American flag or failed to do so quickly enough. Dunkin' Donuts Inc. supports franchisees in their decision to display the American flag. As each shop is independently owned and operated, decisions about the time and manner in which the American flag is displayed are made by each franchisee.
In all instances in which patriotism issues have been raised, the targets of such allegations have been franchisees or employees whose appearance or name is ethnic. They come from cultures as diverse as Pakistan, Morocco, India, and Portugal.
Dunkin' Donuts would ask those who are spreading such rumors to stop and think about their actions, which we believe do not serve our nation's interest. It is important in the wake of the terrorist attacks that all Americans should be careful not to allow gut feelings or emotions to affect their actions, especially toward people of different ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds.
Sources and further reading:
Scares, Hoaxes and False Alarms
Bergen Record, 14 September 2001Budweiser vs. Celebrating Arabs
From the Netlore Archive
Related:
9/11 Terror Attack Rumors & Hoaxes
Coverage of rumors associated with the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon
