As Chicago Chick-fil-A Owner Requests Emanuel Meeting, Teens Protest Chain In California: VIDEO
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's announcement that "Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values" and opposition to the fast food franchise's expansion there because of CEO Dan Cathy's anti-gay politics really ruffled some feathers.
Lauren Silich, the owner of Chicago's sole Chick-fil-A, is asking Emanuel to have a sit down to iron things out.
The Chicago Tribune reports:
[Silich] invited Emanuel to meet her, her husband and management staff at her restaurant. The mayor's office had no immediate response.In an interview today, Silich addressed Emanuel's comments. "I get it," Silich said in an interview. "I’m from here as well."
"I just want people to know there’s a local face to this controversy," she added. "We’re not a corporate face. We love our city."
In a letter sent to the media, Silich also said that she and her staff are committed "serving all of our guests with honor, dignity and respect." She went on to highlight Chick-fil-A's immediate economic impact: "We alone created 97 jobs this past year and our passion is building leaders for future generations, regardless of sexual orientation or beliefs."
Will Emanuel meet with Silich or will he be a scaredy cat. (What, did you think I'd go with chicken?)
In other Chick-fil-A news, a group of teen activists from Youth Empowered to Act joined forced with GLAAD to protest the grand opening of a new location in Laguna Hills, California. Watch an NBC report on the protest and see some other images AFTER THE JUMP.
Embedded video didn't play. A link is always preferred.
Posted by: Randy | Jul 26, 2012 5:51:51 PM
I think the link is http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Orange-County-Chick-fil-A-Opening-Greeted-by-Gay-Rights-Protest-dan-cathy-163913196.html
Posted by: Randy | Jul 26, 2012 5:56:50 PM
Dear Lauren Silich -- Get a franchise from a DECENT company if you want to open another restaurant. The rest of what you say is crap because of whom you lay down with.
As for Farrakhan -- he is an old relic of Black Power with longtime ties to the Chicago Black community (odious or not), not an outsider trying to bring Cracker Bible Belt values to Chicago
Posted by: Bob | Jul 26, 2012 6:25:03 PM
i f-in' love my mayor. and boston's. but rahm f-in' rocks.
Posted by: james | Jul 26, 2012 6:29:49 PM
Just curious, what does that girl's sign "Closets are for Clothes" have to do with any of this?!?! Hmm. I'm all for support from our straight allies, but it'd be nice if they got the point, too.
I see Kathy's (likely court ordered) minders must have stepped away for a minute to gather her medication and she slipped by to the computer.
Posted by: Tim | Jul 26, 2012 6:53:47 PM
Sure would be nice if the media would publish CfA's non-discrimination policy.
Or ask how many of the 1600 franchises are gay owned?
Or Jewish owned. Or black owned. All sorts of interesting statistics, I imagine.
Posted by: BobN | Jul 26, 2012 7:35:07 PM
I love this. I hope the fanchise owners feel the burn. You made your bed-lay in it! The only way to hurt these bigots is via the wallet. It would be no different if a company came out as supporting racism--they have a right to their views, but not on MY dime!
Posted by: Rusti Pypes | Jul 26, 2012 9:12:56 PM
It's amusing to watch these pathetic protests against capitalism. A lot more people than a chicken restaurant's management disagree with gays. You may be a bit overwhelmed when you find out just how many actually do hate gays. There's a whole other side to the real world. I want to thank all the marriage proponents for making the world LESS safe for gay people.
Posted by: Greg | Jul 26, 2012 11:00:25 PM
one might wonder: what impact might the LGBT have by being vegetarian and as a whole supporting green initiatives.
that's 10%+-, right?
and a move towards a more conscious future.
something to chew on.
Posted by: my2cents | Jul 26, 2012 11:21:09 PM
We need to keep up the pressure this will mean franchisees will be unhappy and will be the ones who push to get rid of this evil CEO. It's working so let's keep up the pressure.
This CEO is destined to be pushed out of his job as long as we keep going....
Posted by: Icebloo | Jul 27, 2012 12:07:30 AM
There were HUGE protests outside another Chik Fil A near my town yesterday and it was sooo effective. The place became empty, we actually saw cars turning around! Keep up the protests, and stick to our guns about EQUALITY.
Never be complacent, LGBT. Stand up for your rights!
Posted by: DaTr | Jul 27, 2012 1:14:48 AM
The fact is, Chik Fil A's sales are up since the beginning of the "fiasco". But the bigger question is, why don't these protestors target Muslim owned establishments that also condemn homosexuality, like Farrakan's "Salaam" restaurant in Chicago, or Church's Chicken, run by the Islamic Aricapita Corporation? I suppose it's only Christian homophobia that's bad.
Posted by: Michael Litoris | Jul 28, 2012 3:56:47 PM
Marriage has always, since the very beginning of civilization been between a man and a woman. Some (primitive) cultures allow a man more then one wife.
"The ancient Egyptians held marriage as a sacred bond. The family was broken down into roles that each would play in order for things to run smoothly. The father was the one who would work all day. In smaller households the mother was in charge of all things pertaining to the house. Cooking, cleaning and watching the children were all her responsibilities. Egyptians seem to have taken mates in what most often appears to be lifelong monogamous relationships. marriage and a close family played an integral role in ancient Egypt."
Posted by: jim s | Jul 28, 2012 4:40:09 PM
One restaurant in California?
Big whoop!
Since Wednesday, I've dropped by the seven Chick-Fil-A restaurants outside Washington D.C.. And have seen lines and double lines of customers waiting to get inside and dine.
Whatever few, small groups of 'protestors' that were visible. Were in no way effective in their lame, mostly ignored attempts to keep customers from delicious chicken, shakes, lemonade and waffle-fries.
Posted by: Jack Deth | Jul 28, 2012 5:03:39 PM
Chick-fil-a should have bribed that ballerina emanuel, and promised to hire the "Fruit Of Islam" from farakan.
I boycott as many of the companies as I can that support perverted gay marriage and encourage others to do so.
Posted by: FUBO | Jul 28, 2012 7:06:31 PM
So municipalities can keep Wal-Mart out because they don't like the way they do business, but Chick Fil A MUST be allowed in because they just don't like the gays?
Posted by: Armando | Jul 29, 2012 1:01:39 AM
“I believe that marriage is the union between a man and a woman. Now, for me as a Christian — for me — for me as a Christian, it is also a sacred union. God’s in the mix.
Senator Barack Obama, 2008”
Must have been a homophobic bigot when he said it
Posted by: JohnnyCat | Jul 31, 2012 8:18:10 PM
Really people it isn't about hate it"s about Gods word and being gay is a sin. Besides what does eating at a restuarant have to do with any of this.My family and friends will continue to eat at there and we will pray for all of you.
Posted by: Hollie | Jul 31, 2012 11:16:43 PM
When gays try to force their through wanting to deny others the rights they claim under free speech, it's time to draw the line. Chic Fila has drawn that line.
The new Nazis now consist not only of far rightists but also the far leftists who readily vilify and would close down any business that doesnt agree with their philosophy and lifestyle.
Yes, you are the New Nazis.
Posted by: George P Burdell | Aug 1, 2012 2:41:50 PM
Straights have just as much right to open and run a restaurant that choses to serve the general public as gays have the right to open and run a restaurant that chooses to serve the general public or one that focuses primairly on business from the gay/lesbian community.
Posted by: George P Burdell | Aug 1, 2012 2:50:28 PM
This is an overreaction by idiots, most of which are dumb enough to actually believe that homophobia is real. Seriously, IT'S COMPLETELY MADE UP OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH, AND NOT A REAL MENTAL ILLNESS OR PHOBIA!!! The stupidity and hypocritical intolerance displayed on this board is a joke. I only hope that straight people start attacking gay-owned business with this much force, so they can have a taste of their own hateful medicine. Heterophobes, lol.
Posted by: HeterophobesAbound | Aug 3, 2012 12:50:23 AM
"Just curious, what does that girl's sign 'Closets are for Clothes' have to do with any of this?!?! Hmm. I'm all for support from our straight allies, but it'd be nice if they got the point, too."
This straight ally DOES get the point. 'Closets are for Clothes' used to be a common statement to encourage people to come out of the closet.
Posted by: Diogenes Arktos | Aug 20, 2012 8:59:08 AM