A New York Democrat is campaigning to prevent Chick-fil-A from being allowed to open at rest stops in the state, accusing the company'...
A New York Democrat is campaigning to prevent Chick-fil-A from being allowed to open at rest stops in the state, accusing the company's CEO of being homophobic.
Harry Bronson, a state assembly member, wrote to Governor Andrew Cuomo urging him not to grant Chick-fil-A permission to operate at the state rest stops.
Chick-fil-A has often come under fire from liberals for donations to Christian groups accused of anti-LGBTQ views, such as the Salvation Army and Christian Athletes.
The chief executive, Dan Cathy, whose father, S. Truett Cathy, founded the $8.4 billion company in 1946, has publicly disparaged LGBTQ rights.
Chick-fil-A is hoping to be awarded a contract to open at rest stops across New York state, as part of a $450 million upgrade to the highway facilities. Some Democrats are unhappy at the fast food chain's potential involvement, accusing the company of being homophobic
In 2019 the company announced a donation policy shift, to move away from contentious issues and focus instead on initiatives assisting in 'the areas of education, homelessness and hunger.'
The state is currently considering a $450 million plan to upgrade 27 rest stops across their highway network.
'Chick-fil-A, through the charitable wing of its business, has a history of donating millions of dollars to organizations that are discriminatory and anti-LGBTQ organizations,' wrote Bronson.
'It's on state thruway authority property and they are leasing it, so it's in essence the state saying, 'We are going to offer them an opportunity for them to earn millions and millions of dollars,' even though we know what the history is.'
Dan Cathy, the CEO of Chick-fil-A, has been accused of making anti LGBTQ statements
Harry Bronson, a Democrat assemblyman from New York, is campaigning to prevent Chick-fil-A from opening in state rest stops
His letter was signed by two other Democrats in the state assembly - Deborah Glick and Joanne Mahoney.
They have now begun a petition.
Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator for South Carolina, was among those criticizing the New York Democrats' move.
'I hope this threat is all bluster from left-wing New York politicians,' Graham tweeted.
'If such a disastrous move ever came about – banning a commercial business due to them exercising their First Amendment rights – it would set a horrible precedent.'
Bill de Blasio, the mayor of New York, also tried to ban Chick-fil-A from the city over Cathy's stance.
His efforts flopped and New York City is now the home to the world's largest Chick-fil-A.
Chick-fil-A disputed that it currently has a political agenda.
'Chick-fil-A is excited about the partnership and the opportunity to further serve the residents of New York,' the company said in a statement.
'We want to be clear that Chick-fil-A does not have a political or social agenda, and we welcome everyone in our restaurants.'
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