Full announcement from Just Us for All:
The Asheville, NC, activist group, Just Us for All, has organized an event to focus the community on the recent issues surrounding the fast food chain Chik-Fil- A. Georgia based Chick-fil-A has always been Christian based, keeping stores closed on Sundays and donating millions to Christian causes. But when its president, Dan Cathy, went public to preserve his company’s attitude against gay marriage, he set off a substantial disagreement that has the entire country from politicians to muppets talking. Just Us For All discussed the issue first dismissing it believing it would blow over and were torn on whether or not to take action on this matter. After Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee called America to protest any boycotts against the establishment. JUFA members discussed the issue again. Members were concerned in a few arenas in terms of privilege and the overall good of attempting to educate folks on this matter. Socio economic privilege in the way of how one can be oppressed and affected by a boycott when one is a worker in an already oppressive establishment and two would doing anything make an impact on such an over arching system of corporations? Lastly, does anyone have the right to tell someone where their money goes? After much conversation the group will hold an educational protest this Wed, August 1 at Chik-Fil- A on Tunnel Road. This date is the Chik-fil- appreciation day started by Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum (http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/26/news/la-pn-santorum-and-huckabee-urge-chickfila-counterprotest-20120726). Just Us For All plans to hold signs and give out fliers with other local chicken establishments on it as well as facts about the matter.
“We find it remarkably absurd that a fast food chain should have any impact or sway on queer issues. Many people believe that if we have a problem with this company not agreeing with gay rights then we should just not eat there. We feel like this is a form of closeting ourselves. People deserve to know what they are spending their money on. This corporation should be held accountable for their actions through the truth. ” said Just Us For All President and Founder Sam Soper.
The event will be held at The Chik-Fil- A on Tunnel Road on August 1,2012. 12pm-3pm and 4pm-7pm
Many will probably take me to task for this, given that I typically side with the progressive/liberal view, but on this one, I think the protesters are wrong.
The company and its officers are free to hold and promote any view that wish that is not illegal; I also do not accept the idea that boycotting a company is tantamount to being a “form of closeting ourselves.”
I do think people should be armed with the facts, not only about the restaurant’s views, but more importantly where their discretionary spending goes (i.e. to fund anti-LGBT initiatives). And educating the public about these things is appropriate, but otherwise, they have certain rights as well.
This.
Chic-fil-a-gate is absurd, to say the least. Dont like his opinion’s? Dont eat there. The food is crap, anyway. Support your local farmers, dang nabbit!
I don’t like the corporation’s stance on LGBT issues, but expect this will do more harm to the LOCAL franchise than the corporate parent.