As small businesses, churches, and entire communities speak out against the increased presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement across the country, one coffee shop in Portland, Oregon drew a hard line on social media when it comes to protecting their immigrant neighbors.
“If I.C.E. shows up at our door, our baristas know how to properly refuse both entry and service,” Heretic Coffee posted on Instagram on January 12. “If they flash a warrant, we know exactly what to look for on that piece of paper. If they circle our parking lot waiting for customers to leave, we have an exit strategy that we don’t talk about publicly.”
“Y’all can sleep in our shop if they don’t leave,” they added. “We usually got burritos left over so dinner is on us.”
Josh, the owner of Heretic, told Good Good Good why he felt compelled to share their official stance on social media.
“It’s important that people know that we 1) know our rights, 2) Heretic is a safe place, 3) we will defend our community (both immigrant and American-born) to every single extent we legally can,” Josh explained via email.
“American or not, if you are in our shop, or our city — you are our family. And families protect each other.”
Despite an outpouring of support in the comment section, Heretic’s pledge prompted a reply from one individual who wrote: “It will be great when you get arrested for harboring hope they tape your perp walk.”
“Hey,” the coffee shop responded. “The missing punctuation in your comment has inspired us! Looks like we need to make some ‘Harboring Hope’ stickers. Maybe every sticker sold goes to feeding our immigrant neighbors?”
Within the week, Heretic partnered with Sticker Junkie to release “Harboring Hope” stickers — alongside “Everyone Is Worthy Of A Latte” stickers, which harkened back to another viral social media exchange that Heretic dealt with in November — promising that 100% of the profits “will be used to feed our immigrant neighbors in Portland, OR.”
By pairing the sticker campaign with Jen’s Pastries’ hand-frosted “paras todos” cookies (which means “for everyone”), Josh told Good Good Good that they were hoping to donate “close to $10,000” to the immigrant community.
For months, Heretic Coffee has made a habit of sticking up for neighbors in need.
On November 1, when SNAP benefits were suspended for an estimated 42 million Americans, they immediately began offering free “SNAP breakfasts” to anyone who asked.
“If your SNAP benefits are running out, then breakfast is on us,” the coffee shop posted to Threads.
“NO ONE should have to worry about their next meal. Portland fam, we know it’s not much, but we’ll do our best to keep you fed. Starting November 1st, each day 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.”
Heretic Coffee’s efforts quickly went viral, raising over $310,000 from more than 11,000 donors around the globe.
“Norway. Australia. Ireland. New Zealand. Egypt … and that’s just the emails I’ve been able to get to,” Josh posted to Instagram on October 30. “All around the country, there are coffee shops, restaurants, and cafes offering SNAP breakfasts, SNAP lunches, and SNAP dinners.”
“We’ve said it on every post — when the system fails us, it’s up to us to [take] care of each other,” he added. “And the world (yes, literally, the world) has done just that.”
By January 21, Heretic estimated that their donations had reached close to $380,000.
Although SNAP benefits have been reinstated in that time, many recipients have continued to bear the brunt of the Trump administration’s changing protocols as new eligibility requirements restrict funds nationwide.
And throughout it all, Heretic has continued offering SNAP meals to hungry neighbors.
“Today, 33 people didn't go hungry,” the coffee shop posted to Threads on January 20, adding to what’s become a daily tradition of updating followers on the amount of free SNAP meals provided.
When it comes to social media engagement, Heretic continues to be very active — and transparent about where their money is going — by sharing donation announcements to Black Futures Farm, Central City Concern, the African Refugee Immigrant Organization, JSIR, and more.
And every day, love wins out.
“90% of the comments are overwhelmingly positive; the other 10% is just very loud,” Josh told Good Good Good. “It’s also beautiful to see the positive comments do whatever they can to promote and support our work!”
You may also like: Minneapolis brass band founded after George Floyd's murder helps community heal once again
Header image via Heretic Coffee / Threads
