After the controversy prompted by Chick-Fil-A President Dan Cathy's recent statements against same-sex marriage and donations towards anti-gay organizations, Chicago activists re-launched a boycott, protesting outside the only open Chicago outlet Aug. 8.
While protesters braved the rain downtown during rush hour, waving rainbow flags and chanting "Pray away Chick-fil-A," opponents from Americans for Truth About Homosexuals (AFTAH) and Protect Marriage Illinois debated back, standing other side of the sidewalk.
Calling the Gay Liberation Network (GLN) "the real haters with hateful tactics," AFTAH President Peter LaBarbera said, "We're here for free speech, we're here for religious freedom, and it's just presenting the voice that's often not heard in the media, which supports Chick-fil-A as opposed to all these attacks."
Beginning more than a year ago, the Loyola University chapter of the National Lawyers Guild started the boycott of the restaurant, which is leased from the school. However, according to GLN co-founder, Andy Thayer the actions were barely heard off campus. This protest is one of the first efforts in the city to spread the word.
Thayer said he fears that community members will slow down with the movement effort.
Insisting people should use the presence of the opposing group as a wake up call, he says people should not expect rights to come easily.
"I think while we've got an uphill battle right now, given the crowd that showed up on the other side; I'm confident we can win because we were facing similar problems when we first started organizing against Anita Bryant," he said.
Lisa Angonese, a human-rights activist who is in favor of nonviolent demonstrations in communities, initially participated in the protest because she was tired of gay-bashing and people who claim to have traditional values.
"This is the Chicago we live in," she said. "Everything we do from our teachers, our neighbors, everywhere around, these are people we respect and they're not showing respect. This is what I see. Show respect for your brother and sister because we are in this world together."
Chick-fil-A's owner had no comment.
