PETA has special request for LeBron James' Starbucks location

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has made a special request to Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. 

As The Athletic's Joe Vardon explained last month, the LeBron James Family Foundation-ran House Three Thirty center meant to provide job training for individuals in the Akron area recently opened a new Starbucks store. According to Ryan Gaydos of Fox News, PETA wants James to make that Starbucks location a dairy-free operation. 

In a letter shared by Gaydos, PETA senior vice president Lisa Lange said that the Starbucks chain "perpetuates dietary racism through its vegan milk upcharge" as opposed to what locations charge for dairy milk. 

"This policy unjustly penalizes millions of lactose intolerant Americans, particularly people of color, since around 80% of Black and Indigenous Americans and more than 90% of Asian Americans are affected," Lange continued. "We believe that no one should be punished for wanting to make a more compassionate and environmentally conscious choice. That’s why I’m urging you to make a game-changing play by insisting that the Starbucks store at House Three Thirty be the chain’s first dairy-free location."

PETA is no stranger to the sports world. The organization has asked the University of Georgia and other institutions to stop using live-animal mascots and has urged teams to promote vegan items at sporting events. Back in 2020, NFL quarterback Cam Newton starred in a PETA campaign. 

As of Thursday afternoon, James, the LeBron James Family Foundation and Starbucks hadn't yet responded to requests for responses to Lange.

"The first dairy-free Starbucks location at House Three Thirty would set a precedent for socially responsible business practices and create ripple effects that would affect society in a positive way for generations to come," Lange continued. "I hope you’ll consider my request. We could team up to make a positive change for animal welfare, the environment, and those who suffer from lactose intolerance."