CHICAGO Attempts by Chicago and Boston politicians to block the opening of Chick-fil-A restaurants b

CHICAGO Attempts by Chicago and Boston politicians to block the opening of Chick-fil-A restaurants because of the company president's views on marriage would be unconstitutional and also set a dangerous precedent for other businesses, say several attorneys.
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel each have been quoted as saying they want to prevent Chick-fil-As from opening in their cities, with Menino declaring in a letter to Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy, There is no place for discrimination on Boston's Freedom Trail and no place for your company alongside it. The Freedom houston car rental Trail is a path through the city's streets highlighting historic buildings. Emanuel voiced houston car rental agreement with a Chicago alderman who also opposes houston car rental a new Chick-fil-A, saying of the company, They disrespect our fellow neighbors and residents.
In two interviews, Cathy, said that he believes in the biblical definition of marriage. The company issued a statement saying it treats every customer with honor, dignity houston car rental and respect and that, going forward, it is going to stay out of the gay marriage debate.
It absolutely is not constitutional, Cortman said. And I think the irony here is that they are claiming this is an issue of freedom and civil rights, but they're actually the ones who would be violating the civil rights of Chick-fil-A not to allow them to open up their business simply because of their views.
But the issue concerns more than just Chick-fil-A, Cortman said, and impacts any business or organization in America whose owners hold views different from that of the government. Boston and Chicago would be practicing viewpoint discrimination a violation of the Constitution's Free Speech clause, Cortman said.
It does create both a dangerous and an illegal precedent, Cortman. The government shouldn't be in the business of threatening or punishing people for their thoughts or ideas whether they are individuals houston car rental or businesses themselves. And, there's certainly a double standard. You did not hear a politician threatening to deny permits to companies like Home Depot or Starbucks or Target over those companies' aggressive promotion of the homosexual agenda.
No city can ban Chick-fil-A because the [company] president has his own view regarding marriage a view that is held by much of the American public, Staver told Fox News. To discriminate against Mr. Cathy because of his biblical view and then to extrapolate that to Chick-fil-A is illegal. It would be unconstitutional and certainly any city trying to do so would not win that battle.
The Chicago alderman who initially spoke up against Chick-fil-A, Joe Moreno, told local media he might simply block a proposed new Chick-fil-A in his ward because of traffic concerns. Moreno, though, previously said he opposed a new Chick-fil-A because it was intolerant and because he disagreed with Cathy.
Which part of the First Amendment does Menino not understand? a Globe editorial read July 25. A business owner s political or religious beliefs should not be a test for the worthiness of his or her application for a business license.
Meanwhile, support for Chick-fil-A continues to grow. Sign-ups for Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, launched by Mike Huckabee, surged houston car rental past 200,000 Thursday (July 26). The event will take place Wednesday, Aug. 1. (More information is available at www.ISupportChickFilA.com houston car rental .)
I want to express my support for my good friends houston car rental Truett Cathy and his son Dan Cathy, and for their strong stand for the Christian faith, Graham said in a statement. I've known their family for many years and have watched them grow Chick-fil-A into one of the best businesses in America while never compromising their values. Chick-fil-A serves each of its customers with excellence, and treats everyone like a neighbor. It's easy to see why Chick-fil-A has become so popular across America.
Graham added, I also appreciate Governor Mike Huckabee's leadership and for encouraging Americans to support Chick-fil-A on August 1. As the son of a dairy farmer who milked many a cow, I plan to 'Eat Mor Chikin' and show my support by visiting Chick-fil-A next Wednesday.
Let's affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives houston car rental are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick-Fil-A on Wednesday, houston car rental August 1, he wrote on Facebook. Too often, those on the left make corporate statements to show support for same sex marriage, abortion, houston car rental or profanity, but if Christians affirm traditional values, we're considered homophobic, fundamentalists, hate-mongers, and intolerant. This effort is not being launched by the Chick Fil-A company and no one from the company or family is involved in proposing or promoting it.
There's no need for anyone to be angry or engage in a verbal battle, Huckabee houston car rental added. houston car rental Simply affirm appreciation for a company run by Christian principles by showing up on Wednesday, August 1 or by participating online houston car rental tweeting your support or sending a message on Facebook.