Where do you stand on the Chick-fil-A controversy?
CBS 6 cameras captured lines of people at Chick-fil-As from the West End to Chesterfield county. Across the nation, news stations reported record long lines at the stores.
Some were there to get more than a bite to eat. Some customers told CBS 6 that they came out to show opposition to same sex marriage.
Conservative leaders encouraged followers to show up at the restaurant Wednesday to support the company after it recently came under fire from gay-rights groups.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister, declared Wednesday national “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.” The event, which started on Facebook, has over 700,000 people that claimed they will or did attend today’s event.
"Let's affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick Fil-A on Wednesday, August 1," said Huckabee on theevent announcement page.
"Too often, those on the left make corporate statements to show support for same sex marriage, abortion, or profanity, but if Christians affirm traditional values, we're considered homophobic, fundamentalists, hate-mongers, and intolerant"
However, the firestorm started two weeks ago when Chick-fil-A's President, Dan Cathy, sparked criticism after speaking out on same-sex marriage. Cathy said ‘we are very much supportive of the family - the biblical definition of the family unit.’”
In addition to the statements, Chick-fil-A has given millions to groups like theFamily Research Council and Exodus International, according to documentation by Equality Matters.
Supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage protested in public and online. And now, the type of fast food bag you carry could reveal your view on a hot button issue that has divided this country.
"There are bigger things out in the world to worry about as far as people marrying the same sex. There's a lot more stuff going on.If that's what people believe they want to do. Fine, I'm all for it," said an unidentified resident.
"I believe that God put and men and women on earth for men to date women. And not, women to date women, and men to date men. And that's not right," said Anthony Schrader.
Chick Fil-A defended its company this week and said they would stay out of political debates in the future.
On Friday, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) will hold a "National Same-Sex Kiss-In" at Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide. Participants are encouraged to take and post photos to the Internet.
Proponents of same-sex marriage also organized a simple counter-protest for Wednesday, asking people to donate the approximate cost of a Chick-fil-A meal, about $6.50 to gay and lesbian rights groups, according to GLAAD.
The organization says on Facebook that this particular protest is not a response to Huckabee’s call to demonstration and that it was already announced on July 19 — three days after the interview with Chick-fil-A’s president .
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