New York Democrats accuse Chick-fil-A of discrimination, want to ban it from rest stops
Three Democratic legislators sent a letter denouncing the plans to the executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority
Democratic legislators in New York are opposing plans to open Chick-fil-A restaurants at rest stops in the state, citing the fast-food chain’s past donations to groups accused of opposing same-sex marriage.
"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," Democratic Rochester-area Assembly Member Harry Bronson said.
Bronson is now launching a petition against adding Chick-fil-A restaurants at rest stops along I-90 as part of the Thruway Authority’s $450 million service-state modernization project.
He was also among three openly gay Democratic legislators who sent a letter denouncing the plans to the executive director of the New York State Thruway Authority, Matthew Driscoll.
CHICK-FIL-A IS AMERICA’S TOP FAST FOOD SPOT FOR 7TH YEAR STRAIGHT
"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," Bronson added.
New York Assembly member Bronson is launching a petition against adding Chick-fil-A restaurants at rest stops along I-90 as part of the Thruway Authority’s $450 million service-state modernization project. (iStock / iStock)
The Thruway Authority responded that no tax or toll dollars are involved with the deal and stressed that they "support an inclusive environment that treats the tens of millions of people that travel our system with dignity and respect."
CHICK-FIL-A NO LONGER DONATING TO 2 ORGANIZATIONS ACCUSED OF ANTI-LGBTQ+ VIEWS
Chick-fil-A told Fox News that the wildly popular chain is "excited about the partnership" with New York and added that the company does not have a political agenda.
"We want to be clear that Chick-fil-A does not have a political or social agenda, and we welcome everyone in our restaurants. We are proud to be represented by more than 200,000 diverse team members nationwide, and we strive to be a positive influence in our local communities," Chick-fil-A, Inc. said in a statement.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
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 company announced a donation policy shift in 2019 to focus on initiatives assisting in "the areas of education, homelessness and hunger."