Universities Warned On Chick-fil-A

Special Report - August 6, 2012
A Christian civil liberties organization is warning public universities not to give into pressure by homosexual activists to retaliate against Chick-fil-A for its pro-family stance by evicting the restaurant off campus. Last Friday, the Alliance Defending Freedom (formerly the Alliance Defense Fund) sent letters to five universities that have been targeted by pro-homosexual groups, specifically West Virginia University, New York University, the University of Southern Mississippi, University of Kansas, and University of Louisville. In a press release, ADF explained that even though it “does not represent Chick-fil-A, it sent the letters on behalf of students, faculty, and organizations who share the same religious beliefs as Chick-fil-A and who often face similar threats of religious discrimination.”

As we previously reported, Chick-fil-A has been attacked by homosexual activists, the media and some government officials because of some public comments its president, Dan Cathy, made to the media about the Biblical definition of marriage earlier this month. These attacks include demands by homosexual advocacy groups that universities evict Chick-fil-A from campus. The ADF letters, dated August 3, explain that “the First Amendment protects Chick-fil-A’s right to express its opinion on marriage and other political and social issues and that any retaliation against Chick-Fil-A based on its speech is a violation of federal law.” The letters continue, “The vitriol directed against Chick-fil-A is based solely upon the recent statements by Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy that ‘We are very much supportive of the family—the biblical definition of the family unit.’ But Mr. Cathy’s statement—which is an opinion shared by the majority of Americans—is no less protected than those made by business leaders from other companies who have expressed a different opinion upon the issue of same-sex ‘marriage.”

The letters go on to explain that “no matter whether Chick-fil-A has a permit to operate a restaurant on your university’s campus, is leasing space in the food court, or is considered an independent contractor providing food service on behalf of the university, the First Amendment protects the company from retaliation based on its protected speech…. Not only would discriminating against Chick-fil-A be a clear violation of the First Amendment and expose the University to legal liability, but it would undermine the very lessons of free speech and tolerance that the University seeks to teach to its student body.”

Last Wednesday, August 1, an estimated hundreds of thousands of supporters flocked to Chick-fil-A’s 1,600 locations nationwide during “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” which was organized by Governor Mike Huckabee. Although Chick-fil-A has not released its sales figures, over 600,000 people signed up to attend on the event’s Facebook page. In a press release, Chick-fil-A acknowledged the record-setting sales on August 1. “We are very grateful and humbled by the incredible turnout of loyal Chick-fil-A customers on August 1 at Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country,” said Steve Robinson, Chick-fil-A Executive Vice President of Marketing, in a statement. “While we don’t release exact sales numbers, it was an unprecedented day.”

Related resources:
Billy Graham Defends Chick-fil-A - July 30, 2012
National Chick-Fil-A Days - July 25, 2012
Voters Approve Marriage Amendment - May 8, 2012
Rev. Billy Graham Endorses Marriage Amendment - May 4, 2012

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