Burger King was slammed by customers for posting on Twitter about selling milkshakes in Scotland after election candidates were recently attacked, according to multiple reports.
The fast-food restaurant near Edinburgh, Scotland recently posted a tweet which read that it would be selling milkshakes and ice cream on the weekend of May 18, which coincided with the weekend of the Figel Farage rally that took place on the same day.
“Dear people of Scotland. We’re selling milkshakes all weekend,” Burger King wrote in its tweet. “Have fun.” The tweet was followed by the hashtag, “#justsaying.”
Dear people of Scotland.
We’re selling milkshakes all weekend.
Have fun.
Love BK #justsaying
— Burger King (@BurgerKingUK) May 18, 2019
People were quick to react to Burger King’s message, saying the fast-food chain supported violence, with plenty of users on Facebook slamming the restaurant.
“Hi Burger King,” Jonny Allen, a Facebook user wrote, “Can I come and throw milkshake over your staff please?”
Someone on Twitter wrote, “Absolutely disgusting that [Burger King UK] is promoting violence. I’m stunned.”
Absolutely disgusting that @BurgerKingUK is promoting violence. I’m stunned.
— Carlo N (@carloantonio21) May 19, 2019
Endorsing political violence. Interesting.
— Konrad Dobson (@konraddobson) May 18, 2019
Others said that they wouldn’t eat at the Burger King establishment again.
“Not one penny ever again will you get out of me,” Nigel Woodcock wrote.
Another user wrote, “How very progressive of you by aiding and abetting violence against those with political opinions you disagree with, will take my business elsewhere.”
Another user said, “you just lost 17 million customers.”
The backlash came after police had issued a request to stop selling the dairy products after European election candidates were attacked earlier in the month.
The request was made after protestors who didn’t agree with the far-right candidates began resorting to throwing milkshakes and ice creams at them in an attempt to silence and humiliate the candidates.
According to Independent, far-right figures were attacked by activists earlier in the month, such as the former leader of the English Defence League, Tommy Robinson, and current UKIP candidate Carl Benjamin, who were harassed and attacked with dairy-related products such as milkshakes and McFlurries. Some candidates were hit twice, like Robinson, and some attacks missed.
McDonald’s put up a sign during that time which read that they would not be selling milkshakes and ice creams in order to comply with the instructions of the police officers.
“We will not be selling milkshakes or ice cream tonight,” the McDonald’s sign read. “This is due to a police request given recent events.”
An Edinburgh McDonald’s last night, when Farage was in town (via Facebook) pic.twitter.com/d1MKAgn424
— Chris Deerin (@chrisdeerin) May 18, 2019
Although there were tweets and comments that were quite critical in nature, some others took a more lighthearted tone.
Silence br-
Actually you know what
Just this once
Continue as you were, brand. We cool.
— VƎX, Dimir Mastermind (@vexwerewolf) May 19, 2019
Of course, there were those who defended the fast-food chain and said that this whole thing was just an advertisement for milkshakes, and nothing more.
“Jeez, a lot of sensitive people in the replies. All they want is for people to have milkshakes, they never advocated lobbing them at certain kinds of people, that’s down to you 😉 (anyone who takes being covered in milkshake so serious should really reflect upon themselves),” said Samuel Carvalho on Twitter, according to the Independent.
Jeez, a lot of sensitive people in the replies. All they want is for people to have milkshakes, they never advocated lobbing them at certain kinds of people, that’s down to you 😉 (anyone who takes being covered in milkshake so serious should really reflect upon themselves).
— Samuel Carvalho (@SamCarvalho) May 19, 2019
However, Burger King was quick to respond to the criticism on social media, and replied to its own tweet, saying, “We’d never endorse violence—or wasting our delicious milkshakes! So enjoy the weekend and please drink responsibly people.”
We’d never endorse violence – or wasting our delicious milkshakes!
So enjoy the weekend and please drink responsibly people.
????????
— Burger King (@BurgerKingUK) May 18, 2019
