USA: Chick-fil-A protesters to picket new store openings

Aug 22 2012
Written by Joseph McCormick

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Opponents to new Chick-fil-A stores have said they will picket new store openings across the US, due to the company’s opposition to equal marriage.

Chick-fil-A have announced that they are planning to open new restaurants at two new sites, both in Califormia, but opponents to their anti-gay stance have vowed to protest all new branches.

The Walnut Creek branch of the fast-food chicken restaurant is set to open in October, and there is a Facebook page with nearly 350 members confirming that they will attend to picket the new restaurant.

The company have also reportedly paid $2.7million for a site, currently a Carl’s Jr. restaurant in Novato, Northern Marin County, and will refurbish and open the still trading hamburger restaurant in one to two years time.

Despite releasing a statement saying: “Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena,” The company have been unsuccesful in staying out of the media.

A 30,000 strong petition on Change.org backs up Marcia Alt, a lesbian business owner in Atlanta, Georgia, who has invited Chick-fil-A chief Dan Cathy to have dinner with her family.

Chick-fil-A has also reportedly donated more than $5million to anti-equal-marriage charities.

The president of Chick-fil-A, Dan Cathy cause controversy in July when he told the press that the company was “guilty as charged”, when asked about its perceived opposition to equal marriage.