{"id":704,"date":"2012-08-02T20:32:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-02T20:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/chick-fil-a-event-draws-crowds-of-supporters-in-marriage-controversy\/"},"modified":"2012-08-02T20:32:00","modified_gmt":"2012-08-02T20:32:00","slug":"chick-fil-a-event-draws-crowds-of-supporters-in-marriage-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2012\/08\/chick-fil-a-event-draws-crowds-of-supporters-in-marriage-controversy\/","title":{"rendered":"Chick-fil-A event draws crowds of supporters in marriage controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Atlanta, Ga., Aug 2, 2012 \/ 02:32 pm (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- Supporters of traditional marriage and religious freedom turned out in droves Aug. 1 for a nationwide \u201cChick-fil-A Appreciation Day,\u201d organized to counter criticism of the Christian-run restaurant chain.<\/p>\n

\tEvangelical pastor Rick Warren reported on Twitter that customers \u201cset a world record\u201d with the event. It was organized by radio host Mike Huckabee, after Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy was condemned by activists for supporting \u201cthe biblical definition of the family unit\u201d in a July 2012 interview.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWe 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,\u201d the company's executive vice president for marketing Steve Robinson said in an Aug. 2 statement.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWhile we don\u00b9t release exact sales numbers, we can confirm reports that it was a record-setting day,\u201d Robinson said.<\/p>\n

\tApproximately 600,000 Facebook users had expressed their intention to join in the show of support, organized by Huckabee in response to what he described as \u201cvitriolic assaults\u201d and \u201cvicious hate speech\u201d against the company and its president.<\/p>\n

\tThe strong turnout meant crowded parking lots, backed-up drive-through windows, and long wait times at many of the chain's 1,600-plus locations. Lines stretched outdoors at some stores, as employees set up tents and distributed water to waiting supporters.<\/p>\n

\tMany of Wednesday's participants wanted to show agreement with Cathy's views on family and marriage. Other attendees said they were concerned about the company president's right to express his religious beliefs, after officials in some U.S. cities suggested Chick-fil-A would not be welcome there.<\/p>\n

\tCathy has refrained from commenting further on the controversy sparked by his remarks. But the president and chief operating officer made a public appearance during Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, greeting customers as they waited in line at a location in Fayettville, Georgia.<\/p>\n

\tWhile thanking those who made the day a success, Robinson stressed that the event was \u201cnot a company promotion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe also responded to charges of bigotry against the sandwich chain, saying Chick-fil-A's tradition \u201cis to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect \u2013 regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tA group of activists, meanwhile, plans to respond on Aug. 3 with a \u201cNational Same-Sex Kiss Day at Chick-fil-A.\u201d While over 95,000 people have been invited to the event through Facebook, only around 12,000 said they would be participating as of Aug. 2.<\/p>\n

\tThe company's executive vice president for marketing alluded to the planned same-sex kissing event, in his statement following the day of appreciation.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWe understand from news reports that Friday may present yet another opportunity for us to serve with genuine hospitality, superior service and great food,\u201d Robinson said.<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Atlanta, Ga., Aug 2, 2012 \/ 02:32 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- Supporters of traditional marriage and religious freedom turned out in droves Aug. 1 for a nationwide “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” organized to counter criticism of the Christian-run…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-us"],"yoast_head":"\nChick-fil-A event draws crowds of supporters in marriage controversy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Atlanta, Ga., Aug 2, 2012 \/ 02:32 pm (CNA\/EWTN News).- Supporters of traditional marriage and religious freedom turned out in droves Aug. 1 for a nationwide “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” organized to counter criticism of the Christian-run...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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