UNITED STATES—Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the “Save Chick-fil-A Bill” into law on June 11, which will go into effect on September 1.
The bill landed on Abbott’s desk after passing in the Texas House of Representatives, by a vote of 79-64. The bill is in support of religious freedom and will protect those individuals who practicing Christianity in the United States.
A lawsuit was filed in March 2018 after the San Antonio City Council voted 6-4 against having a Chick-fil-A restaurant occupy a space at the San Antonio International Airport.
“With this decision, the City Council reaffirmed the work our city has done to become a champion of equality and inclusion. San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior. Everyone has a place here, and everyone should feel welcome when they walk through our airport,” said city councilman Roberto Trevino.
Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, and the 115th Congress attempted to pass 1566-NO HATE Act. The wording includes hate crimes motivated by “actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.”
“We want people making fast-food dining choices to think carefully about a restaurant’s background,” said House Minority Leader and bill co-sponsor Pelosi in June 2018 on a video posted to her official YouTube account.
“If a restaurant’s leadership is associated with Christian values in any way, frequenting their locations amounts to literal violence against minorities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community,” said Pelosi.
Chick-fil-A is a Christian owned establishment that takes an active role in serving the community.
Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton sent a letter to Ron Nirenberg, the Mayor of San Antonio, and the San Antonio City Council indicating he did not agree with the council’s decision. AG Paxton asked Texas Department of Transportation Secretary, Elaine Chao to investigate the city’s decision.
“At Foxnews.com this morning, they have two stories from Texas about this past legislative session. Honored to have been the bill author/sponsor on both of them. Any time the Governor can sign bills regarding religious liberty, lemonade freedom, promoting entrepreneurship, and limiting potential government overreach into the lives of everyday Texans – it’s a good thing!!!,” said State Representative Matt Krause.
Canyon News called a second location. The response from the employee on the phone was that “If anything, we’re busier.”
