Popular Twitch streamer Imane “Pokimane” has announced her decision to boycott major fast-food chains Starbucks and McDonald’s due to their reluctance to take a stance on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Pokimane initially had encouraged her viewers to try the new matcha foam drink at Starbucks. However, in light of these companies’ lack of support for a ceasefire in the Gaza region, she has now asked her fans to reconsider patronizing such businesses.
The Israel-Palestine conflict has been a focal point of global concern in recent weeks. Despite differing opinions on the matter, the situation has escalated into a humanitarian crisis with a significant loss of life on both sides.
Pokimane, well-known for her active stance on various issues, has made it clear that she will be distancing herself from companies that have chosen not to take a stance on the conflict. This includes Starbucks, the multinational roastery chain, and McDonald’s, the fast-food giant.
The streamer shared an Instagram story, originally posted by @theimeu, which highlighted the tragic loss of life among children in the region. The post from IMEU cited that in the past 23 days, more children have lost their lives in Gaza than in any world conflict in each of the last four years.
In response to this, Pokimane expressed her stance: “A lot of y’all still get the Starbucks drink I recommended, but I’m boycotting them, McDonald’s, and any other company that isn’t in clear support of a ceasefire.”
This move is consistent with Pokimane’s reputation for speaking out on issues she is passionate about. For instance, in September 2022, she actively voiced her concerns about the prevalence of gambling content on Twitch. Her advocacy, along with the support of her followers, led to the platform’s decision to de-platform unlicensed gambling websites.
Pokimane’s decision to boycott major fast-food chains is a manifestation of her commitment to using her platform to advocate for causes she believes in, even when it means taking a stand against companies she had previously supported.
