Solvang woman told keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestine is “against company policy”

SOLVANG, Calif. – A New Frontiers Natural Marketplace employee is coming forward after being told her keffiyeh scarf was "against company policy" after her second day of use in late May.

Chelsea Palacio said she feels silenced after receiving a text message from her manager. She said someone complained to the owners of New Frontiers. Palacio is not Palestinian, but she said she wears her keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestinians. Many people across the world have expressed their views after the Oct. 7 Hamas-Israel conflict, through protests and social media. Protests have escalated around the world, including some at our local schools such as the University of California, Santa Barbara and California Polytechnic State University.

Palacio, received a text message from a manager who read in part the keffiyeh is "against company policy." She later requested a meeting with the president and hiring manager of the company to learn more about how to move forward.

Palacio said she now feels silenced, “trying to show solidarity with the current attack on the people in Gaza, is being silenced by an upset board member. I believe there may be ulterior motives for wanting me to be quiet, due to how fast this rule changed with no warning, and after a single board member made a complaint," said Palacio.

New Frontiers was asked for an interview but responded with the following written statement:

We respect people's rights to think, act, and express themselves as they choose. However, in the workplace, we aim to create a safe, friendly, and inclusive environment for all 100 of our employees and our thousands of customers. Regardless of our personal beliefs, as a business, we choose not to take stances on political or other divisive issues that may alienate any of our customers or team members.

To avoid conflict, we asked one team member to remove her keffiyeh while at work, and we also requested another team member to remove items expressing support for Israel.

We believe that by making natural, nutritious food accessible to more people, along with the associated positive physical, mental, and emotional benefits, we are contributing to positive change in our community and the world.

Jake Collier, President of New Frontiers Natural Marketplace

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