Gay Rights Groups Stage 'Kiss-In' Demonstrations At Chick-fil-A Restaurants
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Two days after hundreds of thousands of customers, many of them conservative Christians, attended "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" at more than 1,600 locations across the country, gay rights activists held "kiss-in" demonstrations at Chick-fil-A restaurants to protest the fast-food chain owner's opposition to same-sex unions.
WCBS 880's Levon Putney Reports From Paramus Park
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Chick-fil-A said it set a one-day sales record on Wednesday.
More than 3,000 customers patronized the Chick-fil-A in the Paramus Park Mall in Paramus, N.J. for Wednesday's appreciation day, prompting the restaurant to stay open an hour past closing time.
Sales at the Paramus store were six times greater that day than on the same day last year, according to News 12 New Jersey.
Police and mall security had been bracing for another potentially packed day for Friday's National Same Sex Kiss Day. However, WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported the turnout was much less than Friday's.
The flap began last month when Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told a religious publication that the company backed "the biblical definition of a family.''
Tony from West Milford told Putney she has nothing against gay marriage but she ordered food. "I just bought something because the kids were hungry and they have a grilled nuggets option."
Chick-fil-A released a statement last week saying: "Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena."
Several mayors across the country have said they'd like to block the chain from getting permits to expand.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg has taken a different stand, and has said: "Trampling on the freedom to marry who you want is the same as trampling on someone's right to open a store."
A Facebook page was created for Friday's same-sex kiss day.
Where do you stand on the Chick-fil-A debate? Pro Chick-fil-A, or no longer a fan? Let us know below.
