A new Chick-fil-A location opened in Toronto, its first international location in Canada, on Friday, and there were protesting groups to welcome it.
LGBTQ and animal rights activists protested just outside the new location, holding signs that read, “Cluck off” and chanting, “Hey hey, ho ho, homophobia has got to go!”
One giant banner said, “Not in our city. United against hate.”
Chick-fil-A has been the sights of liberal activists because of CEO Dan Cathy’s support for traditional marriage between one man and one woman. They are also upset about the company donating to what is viewed as anti-LGBTQ groups, such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Salvation Army.
[Also read: ‘Bastion of bigotry’: University of Kansas faculty demand Chick-fil-A boycott]
People are protesting outside the opening of #Toronto‘s first Chick-fil-A location – ? @RonaldJayQ pic.twitter.com/rmUTnAEo47
— blogTO (@blogTO) September 6, 2019
Large protest outside of Toronto’s new @ChickfilA location. More to follow. pic.twitter.com/w2apJljqUq
— The Ryersonian (@theryersonian) September 6, 2019
As part of their protests, people staged a “die in” and wrote messages on the sidewalk in chalk.
Protesters are staging a die-in at the entrance of #Toronto‘s first Chick-fil-A location – ? @RonaldJayQ pic.twitter.com/Cus1U6uYBw
— blogTO (@blogTO) September 6, 2019
Protesters now scrawling slogans with sidewalk chalk outside the #TO #ChickfilA. pic.twitter.com/YifMidxyKq
— Mark Carcasole (@MarkCarcGlobal) September 6, 2019
Despite the protests outside the restaurant, people on the scene said the line to get in Chick-fil-A was long for the whole day.
Despite the protest, the lunchtime lineup outside #TO #ChickfilA remains as long as it was this morning. pic.twitter.com/LptTBK2xKS
— Mark Carcasole (@MarkCarcGlobal) September 6, 2019
The U.S.-based company plans on opening 15 restaurants in the Toronto area over the next five years, according to Forbes. Just as the U.S. locations, the Canadian ones will also be closed on Sundays.
