Protests at Chick-fil-A opening in Toronto over owner’s record on LGBTQ issues
Posted September 6, 2019 12:28 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO — Dozens of protesters crowded a downtown Toronto sidewalk Friday morning to voice their opposition to the opening of the first franchised Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant in Canada over the chain owner’s record on LGBTQ issues.
The protesters say the company has funded anti-LGBTQ initiatives while company chairman and CEO Dan Cathy has voiced his opposition to same-sex marriage.
Justin Khan, director of public interest and legal issues at The 519, says the LGBTQ advocacy group helped organize the protest over what he says is the company’s promotion of hate.
The company has faced opposition in the U.S. as well, including San Antonio city council trying to stop a location from opening in the city and a New Jersey university blocking it from the campus.
Chick-fil-A previously opened a location at the Calgary International Airport that has since closed, but the company says the Toronto location is the first franchised restaurant in Canada. The company says the restaurant will be closed on Sundays, in line with its policy for U.S. restaurants.
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Canadian Press
