JOPLIN, Mo. —
A national controversy following comments made by the president of Chick-fil-A made its way to Joplin, with hundreds of area residents paying a visit to the Joplin restaurant Wednesday.
Long lines of supporters in cars, trucks and church vans backed up traffic on Range Line Road, and several vehicles had bumper stickers or window paint expressing support for the company. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee apparently inspired the turnout by using Facebook to declare Wednesday as 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.”
Chick-fil-A, the national chain known for its chicken sandwiches and waffle fries, has been embroiled 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 charitable arm, WinShape Foundation Inc., has been a large contributor to anti-gay-marriage groups like the Marriage and Family Foundation and the Family Research Council, among others, according to the foundation’s tax filings.
Raymond Dunaway, manager of the Joplin store, said corporate headquarters asked managers not to comment because it is such a controversial subject.
So far, there have been no counter-protesters at the Joplin restaurant, and Lee McDaniel, president of the Joplin Gay Lesbian Pride Center, said he wasn’t aware of any plans for protests or mass boycotts in town.
McDaniel said his group encourages people to spend their consumer dollars however they think best.
“We do distribute the Human Rights Campaign corporation index for corporations that are gay- and lesbian-friendly,” he said. “Obviously, Chick-fil-A is not on that.”
McDaniel said he thinks the local impact of the support day will be minimal. He said having the conversation about the issue will increase awareness, and therefore understanding and acceptance of same-sex marriage.
“Each person can make their own decisions, and regardless of Chick-fil-A’s position, acceptance of gays and lesbians is moving forward,” McDaniel said. “Marriage equality is inevitable. The expansion of civil rights is going to trump any religious, political or other philosophy that marginalizes gays and lesbians.”
Many area residents heard about the event through Facebook. For some, the issue was about free speech.
“I came because I don’t think anyone should be able to tell business owners what they should and shouldn’t believe, and if they ask a question and they answer it honestly, then they shouldn’t get bashed for it,” said Tori Morris, of Joplin. “I think they’re awesome and hope that God blesses them greatly.”
Jan Vance, of Joplin, said she ate at Chick-fil-A one time in the 1990s, but she has since boycotted the restaurant after friends told her the company’s position.
“I think that people are under the impression that gays are upset with what the CEO said and that we’re trying to inhibit his First Amendment rights, when what we’re really upset with is the way they’re spending the money through their foundation and where that money is going,” Vance said. “That’s upsetting to me because I keep seeing the issue trivialized. I can’t justify spending money on my own oppression.”
Republican Mike Moon, who is running against U.S. Rep. Billy Long in Missouri’s 7th Congressional District in next week’s primary election, stopped by the restaurant for lunch with a large campaign sign in the bed of his truck.
“We were out campaigning in Southwest Missouri, and we were hungry,” Moon said. “We knew there would be a big crowd at Chick-fil-A, and we like their food too. It’s very good. We want to support Chick-fil-A and their efforts.”
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS contributed to this report.
Top Stories
Related Photos
-
Lunchtime traffic rolling into the drive-through lanes at Chick-fil-A backs up motorists to some degree Wednesday on busy Range Line Road in Joplin. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee apparently inspired the show of support for the chain in the wake of criticism leveled at Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy for his recent anti-gay comments. GLOBE | KELLEN JENKINS
Discussion
Chick-fil-A supporters back up traffic in Joplin
- Top Stories
-
-
Joplin to New Orleans bike tour to raise money for disaster victims
Louis Niewald will travel 800 miles on a bicycle next month, pedaling from Joplin to New Orleans. He’ll have a lot to think about along the way. Niewald was returning to Joplin on May 22, 2011, when sirens sounded and an EF-5 tornado began grinding its way across the city.
-
Joplin photo rescue effort gears up to help Moore storm victims
A photo rescue operation based in Carthage that helped salvage and return thousands of pictures after the 2011 tornado in Joplin is reaching out to storm victims in Moore, Okla.
-
Events, activities to honor veterans planned in Joplin area on Monday
No Memorial Day ceremonies are planned at Joplin cemeteries this year or at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City, but a number of other events are scheduled in cities around the region.
-
Area pools ready for plunge; Schifferdecker opening still to be announced
Though this week’s mild temperatures may not signal swim season, most area pools are ready anyway. And, the mercury should rise a little this weekend to help those anxious to dive in. Highs will be in the low 80s today and Sunday. There is a chance for isolated thunderstorms on Monday, but the thermometer should hit 82 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
-
Joplin School Board decision could take up to two weeks; Turner remains on paid leave
It could take up two weeks for the Joplin Board of Education to decide whether Randy Turner’s teaching contract should be terminated, the school district’s attorney, John Nicholas, said Friday.
-
Joplin insurance agent seeks donations for Moore, Okla.
After losing an office building and her home in the tornado on May 22, 2011, Loretta Bailey is familiar with the destruction that a tornado brings. The 400 households that her insurance agency helped through the aftermath of the tornado also know that loss. \
-
Families, friends invited to honor veterans with flags this weekend
Small lengths of plastic pipe have been installed behind the headstones of veterans graves in Joplin cemeteries so that every veteran will have a flag on Memorial Day.
-
Events, activities planned to honor veterans Monday
No ceremonies are planned at Joplin cemeteries this year or at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City, but a number of other events are scheduled in cities around the region.
-
Joplin Board of Education to decide fate of East Middle School teacher
After hearing nearly 10 hours of testimony from more than a dozen witnesses and accepting more than 45 exhibits into evidence, members of the Joplin Board of Education voted to move behind closed doors Thursday night to decide whether Randy Turner, a communication arts teacher at East Middle School, will continue to teach.
-
Memorial Day travelers bemoan high gas prices
Norm Hayward and his wife, Claudia, have a couple of things going for them as they continue their increasingly expensive motor home trip around parts of the United States. For starters, the Phoenix, Ariz., couple are saving on hotel costs.
- More Top Stories Headlines
-
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
