- Former Los Angeles barista Aaron Gomez filed a federal lawsuit against Starbucks after being violently assaulted while enforcing the store's paying-customers-only restroom policy.
- The assailant threw a cash register, a metal cup, and loose items at Gomez, who was later fired for throwing a pitcher of sweet cream in self-defense.
- Gomez is seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as reinstatement, alleging wrongful termination following his workers' compensation claim.
- Steven Soifer, co-founder of the American Restroom Association, urged Starbucks to relax its bathroom policy, saying toilet access is a civil rights issue.
- Starbucks requested that the court dismiss the lawsuit, asserting that Gomez was terminated for a legitimate business reason after violating safety policies.
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