Our meeting by acknowledging that this meeting is being held on the unceded stolen land of the Cherokee Shawnee and UC people, and to remind you all that no one is illegal on stolen land that was built by stolen labor.

And with that, we have our first presentation of the evening, a proclamation from Council Member Emily Benedict that should leave everyone feeling warm and furry.

A proclamation recognizing Doug the Puck on the occasion of his twelfth birthday.

Council member, you are recognized.

Here's a proclamation recognizing Doug the Pug, as you said.

So whereas Nashville is home to many remarkable individuals whose creativity, generosity, and spirit leave a lasting impression upon communities, both near and far, and whereas among those cherished local figures is Doug the Pug, born May twentieth, twenty fourteen, a canine companion whose joyful presence and unmistakable personality have delighted millions across the globe, and whereas through a social media presence spanning millions of followers, Doug has become widely recognized for his playful costumes, uplifting content, and appearances alongside celebrated entertainers, public figures, and cultural icons, all while proudly representing Nashville on an international stage, and whereas beyond his fame as a beloved internet personality, Doug has helped demonstrates the meaningful bond between humans and animals, using this platform to encourage kindness, laughter, compassion, and connection during times when such comforts are often needed most.

Whereas through the work of the Doug the Pug Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization established in 2020, Doug and his family have supported people facing serious illnesses by helping facilitate therapy dog visits and moments of comfort, hope, and companionship.

And whereas it is fitting that we recognize Doug the Pug not only for his cultural impact and accomplishments, but also for the happiness and encouragement he has brought to countless people around the world, proving that even the smallest pause can leave an enduring mark.

And now therefore, I Emily Benedict, District 7 council member of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County, along with the undersigned members of council, do hereby recognize Doug the Pug on the occasion of his birthday and extend sincere appreciation to Doug and his family for the joy, compassion, and canine charm they continue to share with the people of Nashville and the world.

Oh my god.

One second, and council member, after the photo, we will give Doug the opportunity to give a few remarks.

Sniff the mic, Doug.

Is that a little snorts?

In all seriousness, um, my name is Leslie Mosier.

I have had the honor of a lifetime of doing Doug the Pug as a full-time job for the last 11 years, and I fully believe that we would not have 18 million followers and have had the immensely amazing experience if it weren't for this incredible city supporting us every step of the way.

So we are incredibly grateful.

Doug spread so much joy, and this is an incredible way to kick off his birthday celebration.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much, and happy birthday to uh Mr.

Puck.

We also appreciate that Doug showed up in a tuxedo for this occasion, custom designed in London, England, wow, thank you so very much.

Thank you so much.

And we also have, in addition to uh Doug and Co.

Doug and Franz, we do have additional special guests with us today.

I want to take a moment to recognize and welcome the members of Starbucks Workers United who are here with us to visit, and we have a uh welcome message.

Do you want me to take a look at the you all are recognized?

Hi, sorry, I'm gonna fix this speaker real fast.

Um hi, my name is Lindy.

I'm a lifelong Nashvillean.

Also been a fan of Doug the Pug for a considerable amount of years, um, and a Starbucks worker of more than six years.

Over those six years, I worked my way up from barista before eventually leaving store management.

I'm back to being a ship supervisor now.

I've seen this company from nearly every angle, and what became impossible to ignore is just how much Starbucks relies on the labor of green Apron workers while giving us less and less in return.

The Barises are the face of this billion dollar company.

We are the ones making the drinks, calming angry customers, running floors understaffed, and keeping stores afloat every single day.

And yet workers are still struggling to get enough hours, struggling to pay rent, and struggling to access basic stability.

Starbucks may be leaving Seattle for Nashville, but wherever they go, workers will be organizing and fighting for something better.

Recently, Starbucks announced plans to build a corporate headquarters here in Nashville.

Around that same time, CEO Brian Nichols stopped by a nearby store 10 minutes away from mine for a polished little photo op.

But noticeably absent from that visit were the union stores and organizing workers across the city.

I think that says everything.

Because Starbucks doesn't want to actually meet their workers behind the smiling advertisements and carefully curated branding.

They want Nashville's culture.

They want our labor.

They want our growth, our tourism, and our tax breaks.

They don't just want workers to have power.

And while executives pose for cameras, baristas are being pushed harder than ever before.

Workers are dealing with impossible drive-through times, severe understaffing, increasingly complicated drink builds, and now disciplinary threats over not writing one word on a cup.

As if forced positivity written in Sharpie is somehow gonna fix burnout, poverty wages, or exhaustion.

And despite that, workers are still organizing anyway.

Across the country, we've grown our union by thousands and won nearly 700 elections because Baristas are demanding what Starbucks still refuses to give us.

A fair contract, real protections on the job, and dignity at work.

The long hollow pike store in Goodlitzville recently won their union election.

Last week, workers in Johnson City organized too.

And those victories matter because they prove something corporations hate hearing.

Starbucks only works because we do.

Nashville was not built by CEOs.

It was not built by billionaires flying in for press tours and ribbon cuttings.

This city was built by workers, by the people pouring the coffee, driving the trucks, cooking the food, cleaning the buildings, stalking the shelves, and surviving in a city that becomes more expensive every day while corporations make record profits off of our labor.

So if Starbucks wants to make Nashville its home, then workers are gonna make sure the city hears our voice too.