The city of San Antonio City Council voted to ban Chick-fil-A restaurants from their city. Why? Because the Chick-fil-A company is well known for holding Christian values, like being closed on Sundays, and advocating on behalf of family values, like donating to groups that are pro-traditional marriage.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz wrote on Twitter: “The details of this story are even worse. San Antonio City Council voted to ban @ChickfilA from the airport bc the company gave to…the Fellowship of Christian Athletes & the Salvation Army?!? That’s ridiculous. And not Texas. #LeftistIntolerance”
Lawmakers across the state were infuriated with the ban and quickly took action to fight this attack on religious values and the First Amendment. The “Save Chick-fil-A” bill easily passed through the Texas Senate and House, stating that the ‘government cannot take action against any person, business, or contractor for its membership in or affiliation with a religious organization.’
Chick-fil-A’s mission statement includes the phrases: “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us” and “To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.” It is also stated on their website: “Our founder, Truett Cathy, made the decision to close on Sundays in 1946 when he opened his first restaurant in Hapeville, Georgia. Having worked seven days a week in restaurants open 24 hours, Truett saw the importance of closing on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest and worship if they choose – a practice we uphold today.”
The Chick-fil-A Foundation is known for supporting pro-marriage organizations and opposing LGBTQ activism. “And I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude that thinks we have the audacity to redefine what marriage is all about,” their Chief Executive said in a 2012 interview. The left has long been publicly attacking the business for their pro-marriage beliefs, but a restaurant ban crosses the line.
San Antonio’s blatant attack on religious liberty is an undisguised attempt to eliminate Christian values from the marketplace. Chick-fil-A, and other Christian organizations, are private businesses — the government cannot tell them where they can or cannot operate based on their religious beliefs. In America, we champion these rights, not squash them. We are free to put these values on display and operate our private businesses however we choose, including closing on Sundays to observe the Lord’s day. If the liberal activists have a problem with it, they have the freedom to spend their dollars elsewhere. In America, we won’t tolerate liberal local governments outright banning a private business because they don’t agree with the company’s beliefs and values.
Sign this petition if you support Chick-Fil-A’s right to stand up for Christian values!