Five men filed suit against the city of San Antonio over it’s decision to deny Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in their airport.
The group, Texas Values Action, cited a controversial bill, SB 1979 , signed into law earlier this year that prohibits “the government from discriminating against anyone who donates to, affiliates with, or supports a religious organization.” Chick-fil-A donates heavily to anti-LBGTQ rights.
The group held a press conference in front of San Antonio’s Municipal Plaza Building and explained why they brought forth suit:
“Any vendor that attempts to occupy this space should be on notice,” says plaintiff Patrick Von Dohlen. “The city’s efforts to replace Chick-fil-A violate state law and we are suing to stop this from happening. Any vendor that tries to replace Chick-fil-A could soon be facing an injunction that prevents them from operating.”
The lawsuit, which also seeks the city to pay the plaintiffs’ legal fees, calls for an injunction preventing San Antonio from taking adverse action against Chick-Fil-A or others “based wholly or partly on that person or entity’s support for religious organizations that oppose homosexual behavior.”
Chief communications officer Laura Mayes wrote in an email that the suit filed by the group “is an attempt by the plaintiffs to improperly use the court to advance their political agenda.” She also noted the group cited a law that did not exist when the City Council voted to deny Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant at the airport.
