Yosemite Starbucks Protesters Say No Thanks A Latte

CALIFORNIA -- Nearly 12,000 people have signed a petition after officials recently announced a Starbucks is opening at Yosemite National Park. The park, which attracts 4 million visitors each year, said this month the coffee giant will serve its brews at a new food court opening this spring.

But a change.org petition that was created just a week ago by a "concerned citizen" already has 11,900 signatures as of Tuesday morning. The creator of the petition urged the public to write to their elected officials to stop Starbucks from serving at the national park.

"Multinational corporations have no place in our National Parks. The opening of a Starbucks in Yosemite Valley opens the door to further undue development. The Park will lose its essence, making it hardly distinguishable from a chaotic and bustling commercial city," the petitioner wrote. "If the Park is to bring in another outside contractor, why is it not fulfilling its commitment to Gateway Communities? Let's consider local establishments."

A spokesman with Aramark, the company in charge of the concessions, told KQED that it's merely looking to "create an experience that more accurately reflects and resonates with today’s visitor to Yosemite National Park and provide them with a variety of offerings and brands that we believe they’ll find enjoyable."

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