Q&A with Midori's Floating World Cafe

Photo courtesy of the Midori's GoFundMe page

Midori’s Floating World Cafe (2629 East Lake Street) is well-known and well-loved. On June 2, a statement was posted to the restaurant’s  Facebook page, thanking seven individuals or guarding the building during the uprisings. Co-owner John Flomer answered the following questions during an email interview.

How did you learn of the seven people physically protecting your business? 

“We heard from one person who knew two people who were arrested by the National Guard while protecting our restaurant. They both left their backpacks there and asked if we could find them and hold them. We found one, but it had be[en] emptied.”

How can Asian-Americans support the Black Lives Matter movement?

Our business is open to all. We do not discriminate. Over the years we've hired people from every race. We are in solidarity with the cause surrounding the death of George Floyd and others. It was uncalled for and senseless brutality.

What do you want to tell protestors, either in encouragement or warning?

We are very disturbed over the senseless deaths of minority citizens and support a vocal outcry over them, including peaceful protesting.

Find the restaurant GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/restore-midori039s-floating-world-cafe