JOPLIN, Mo. —
Hundreds of area residents paid a visit to Chick-fil-A Wednesday after former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee declared Aug. 1 national “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.”
“We came just to take a stand and support Chick-fil-A,” said Randy Bishop of Joplin. “We win by eating Chick-fil-A and we win by supporting their beliefs. To us as Christians, it’s not controversial. It’s the truth. We’ve been silent too long.”
Supporters backed up traffic on Range Line Road and several vehicles had bumper stickers or car window paint expressing their support for the company.
Chick-fil-A, the national chain known for its chicken sandwiches and waffle fries, has been broiled in controversy since its president, Dan Cathy, said the company was “guilty as charged” for backing “the biblical definition of a family.” The company’s foundation, WinShape Foundation Inc., out of Atlanta, Ga., has contributed millions to anti-gay marriage groups like the Marriage and Family Foundation and the Family Research Council, according to Equality Matters, an LGBT rights group and the foundation’s 990 IRS tax forms.
Raymond Dunaway, manager of the Joplin store, said corporate headquarters asked them not to comment because it is such a controversial subject.
So far, there have been no counter-protesters at the Joplin restaurant.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Residents wait to order in support of Chick-fil-A.
Discussion
Residents flood Chick-fil-A in show of support
- Local News
-
-
Registration continues for Get Fit TRYathlon in Pittsburg
On average, it costs more than $600 to match one child with an adult volunteer in the Crawford County Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Four years ago, the Get Fit TRYathlon was born as a fundraiser for the program, and it has been gaining momentum, organizers say.
-
Council to consider condemnation measures for widening projects
The Joplin City Council on Monday night will consider ordinances for proposed condemnation proceedings on five pieces of property that are needed for three street widening projects.
-
Andra Bryan Stefanoni: The story of two engines that could
It’s hard not to be enamored by trains if you grew up where I did. Pittsburg is crisscrossed by rail lines, as are many Southeast Kansas towns that were built on the backs of coal miners.
-
Jo Ellis: Mudslinging can be fun when it’s in the hands of kids
CARTHAGE, Mo. — It’s slick. It’s sticky. It’s goopy. It’s soupy. It’s Mudstock 2013, and it’s going to be so much fun for kids. But hold on. Carthage police Chief Greg Dagnan said Mudstock isn’t just for kids. “Adults go through it all the time, and they have just as much fun,” he said, adding, “I think.”
-
‘Lucky ’13’: 481 graduate from Joplin High School
Samantha Mahurin believes students in the Joplin High School class of 2013 are unique in that they have survived — together — what she calls the “roller coaster” of their high school career.
-
Announcements, picnics, tributes all scheduled for tornado anniversary event
Wednesday’s second anniversary observance of the May 22, 2011, tornado that devastated the Joplin and Duquesne area is expected to include several key announcements.
-
Susan Redden: Lawmakers pass bills to benefit veterans
Joplin area legislators scored some victories the last week of the Missouri General Assembly’s session, but if anyone is keeping count, the record has to go to Rep. Charlie Davis.
-
Interfaith services an outgrowth of 2011 tornado in Joplin
Celebrating community and rebuilding, members of three faiths came together Sunday at the Landreth Park amphitheater as part of an ongoing interfaith effort that came out of the aftermath of the May 22, 2011, tornado.
-
FACES OF RECOVERY: 176,869 volunteers help put Joplin together again
They initially came in droves, pouring into Joplin by the thousands during the months following the May 2011 tornado to clear debris, clean up damaged homes and businesses and distribute donations of food, water, clothing and other necessities.
-
Civil War committee honors sacrifice of soldiers ambushed at Rader Farm
Dozens of local residents gathered Saturday at the Rader Farm on the 150th anniversary of the massacre of 15 soldiers of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry and three white soldiers from the 2nd Kansas Volunteer Artillery Battery by guerrilla Confederate forces.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Registration continues for Get Fit TRYathlon in Pittsburg
