Operator of two locations allegedly gave Nazi salute at Montreal protest
Second Cup Canada has taken decisive action to terminate the franchise agreement of a café owner after video footage emerged of her allegedly chanting antisemitic slogans and performing a Nazi salute at a protest in Montreal.
The franchisee, Mai Abdulhadi, operates two Second Cup locations within Montreal's Jewish General Hospital, according to Global News.
The incident occurred during a protest at Concordia University last Thursday, where Abdulhadi was reportedly filmed chanting “The Final Solution is coming your way,” a reference to the Holocaust.
Peter Mammas, president of Second Cup Canada, confirmed that the company identified Abdulhadi as the woman in the video.
“We spoke to a lot of employees, and they confirmed to us that, yes, it was her in the videos,” Mammas said in a phone interview. He explained that employees from Abdulhadi’s cafés and Second Cup Canada staff who visited the sites corroborated her identity.
Video footage of the incident, posted on social media, also shows a woman giving the Nazi salute. Global News said it has not independently confirmed that the woman in the video is Abdulhadi.
The coffee company released a statement on social media, further addressing the controversy on Sunday:
“Second Cup has zero tolerance for hate speech… This franchisee’s actions are not only a breach of our franchise agreement, but they also violate the values of inclusion and community we stand for at Second Cup.”
Mammas noted that the company has a responsibility to uphold its brand values and protect its franchisees.
“We have the right to protect the brand and protect other franchisees and brand values,” he said. He confirmed that the company’s legal team would contact Abdulhadi’s representatives on Monday.
Hospital ‘fully supports’ Second Cup decision
The Integrated University Health and Social Service Centres (CIUSSS), which oversees Quebec’s healthcare network, issued a statement acknowledging the video’s contents and condemning the franchisee’s actions.
“This video is related to a franchisee of Second Cup, one of the private tenants operating within the Jewish General Hospital,” the CIUSSS said. “We fully support Second Cup’s decision to take swift and decisive action in this matter by shutting down the franchisee’s cafés and terminating their lease agreement.”
The Canadian Jewish Association also reacted, revealing that one of its members had filmed the incident where the “Final Solution” chant was captured, said Global News.
A senior manager responsible for diversity, equity, and inclusion in British Columbia recently filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against her former employer, claiming she was let go following complaints about her social media post regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict.
‘Fortitude and integrity’ amid protests
The protest where the footage was recorded was part of ongoing anti-NATO demonstrations in Montreal. These events have seen violent clashes, including window-smashing and car-burning, leading to three arrests.
Montreal Conservative Senator Leo Housakos lauded Second Cup Canada’s swift action, saying in the Global News report: “I’m glad to see there are corporations like the parent company of Second Cup that has the… fortitude and integrity to stand up for what’s right.”
Housakos also condemned the broader expressions of hate seen during the demonstrations.
“The voices of anti-Semitism, of hate, of violence, Nazi salutes, calling death to Jews, it’s deplorable. It’s unacceptable. It has to stop,” he said.
