Allie's Donuts Receives Threats After Ending Police Discount

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — The owner of classic Rhode Island donut shop said all employees were sent home Tuesday evening following a series of threats made against the business. Allie's Donuts garnered national attention this weekend after announcing it would no longer offer a 10 percent discount for police and military members amid nationwide protests against police brutality.

Allie's owner Matt Drescher said he was the only person making donuts Tuesday night due to concerns for employee safety.

"Due to all of the unfortunate threats that we've gotten and just the climate that it is, a lot of the employees don't feel safe working here right now," Drescher said in an Instagram video. "I respect their choice, and they're safe at home. Nothing has happened to their job."

Drescher said he was hard at work making as many donuts as he could, "because we do have a lot of supporters."

Allie's Donuts has been the subject of a firestorm after announcing over the weekend that it would no longer offer a 10 percent discount to police and members of the military.

"We're fed up," the company wrote in a message on Instagram. "Until local police take action to solve problems with racism and injustice, Allie's Donuts will stand choose to stand with the people of our great state."

The post sparked national attention and was trending on Twitter Sunday. Many vowed they would never buy another donut there again, while hundreds of people, including Black Lives Matter activists, filled the parking lot to show their support. All proceeds from Sunday's sales went toward social justice organizations, including Rhode Island Communities for Justice, the Providence Student Union and Amos House, the company said.