Some Democratic Delegates Are Furious Chick-Fil-A
Post# of 50777
The Democratic National Convention (DNC), much like the Republican National Convention, has had its fair share of protesters.
However, some DNC delegates aren’t opposing a person — they’re protesting Chick-fil-A.
The Daily Caller reports that attendees were “really disappointed” with the DNC’s decision to allow Chick-fil-A to be served inside the convention Hall. As Bernie Sander supporter and Nevada delegate Joe Sacco put it:
“I would hope that the DNC would be more sensitive in the future to the LGBT community.”
Sacco is referring to the remark made by the late founder of the fried chicken giant, S. Truett Cathy, in 2012 about his belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman:
“We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles.”
Not to mention, the company’s WinShape Foundation has donated a good amount of money to what are considered “anti-LGBT” causes, like the Family Research Council.
However, it seems that not every Democrat has a problem with Chick-fil-A. In fact, during a recent sit-in over gun control at the House, aides were seen carting in chicken from the restaurant to Democratic representatives.
Sorensen tells Independent Journal Review she’s supported boycotting Chick-fil-A, but respects how they treat their employees:
“Despite the fact that I very much disagree with Chick-fil-A’s public position on things like LGBTQ rights, I do support the fact that they do treat their workers incredibly well, and that’s something that you don’t see a lot in the fast food industry. While I hope that they will choose to not make public statements about bigotry in the future, I also hope that more fast food chains will follow their lead in terms of paying and treating their people with respect.”
And coming from someone who’s worked her fair share of retail gigs where she was treated “like a hog in a machine,” Chick-fil-A’s reputation for managing workers with a sense of humanity is refreshing:
“A friend of mine’s brother works at a CFA down south and he is gay and he is treated well. They’re not forced to be degraded by customers, they’re stood up for by their bosses, things like that.”
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that her delicious chicken sandwiches are already paid for:
“I figure that any money going toward the convention center that’s graciously hosting us and the people who are here is great. I don’t love sending money to Chick-fil-A, but the sandwiches are already paid for. This is kind of the only time I get to have a CFA sandwich, basically guilt-free.”
She’s not alone in having a “guilt-free” experience chowing down on Chick-fil-A at the DNC.
North Carolina delegate Marshall Bennett, another Sanders supporter, broke his boycott of the fast food chain just this week:
Bennett explains that he hasn’t had Chick-fil-A in years:
“I have to admit, I thought it was kinda weird when I saw it. I’ve actually been boycotting Chick-fil-A for several years and I just bought my first sandwich here — it’s been 5 or 6 years — because it’s cheap.”
The company is selling its well-known chicken sandwiches at the DNC for $6.50.
After trying a bite off someone else’s sandwich, Bennett says the temptation was just too strong to resist:
“I caved not only because it’s cheap, but because I had a bite of somebody else’s and I missed it so much. And I think the main, old Chick-fil-A guy died, I think? I don’t know, I don’t keep up with the their news.”
Cathy passed away in 2014 and the company has since tried to amend their relationship with both the LGBT community and its supporters, according to Business Insider.
Though the North Carolina delegate feels the company is “moving in the right direction,” he isn’t quite sold on it just yet:
“I wouldn’t say evolved.”
And Thelma Ebling, a delegate staffer from Ohio, tells Independent Journal Review she has no beef with the Southern eatery:
“I love Chick-fil-A. I didn’t even know there was a boycott.”
SNL’s Weekend Update co-anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che first noticed the long line at a Chick-fil-A in the DNC earlier this week, pointing out the irony of the situation around the 1:40 mark