San Antonio boots national chain restaurant out of the international airport

ChickFilA

San Antonio District 1 Councilman Roberto C. Treviño had motioned Thursday to approve a concessions agreement for the international airport excluding national chain Chick-Fil-A. The new plan that was passed with a 6-4 vote will give local businesses such as Local Coffee and Smoke Shack a space in the San Antonio International Airport.

ThinkProgress released a report that listed the Atlanta based restaurant listing donations from 2017 tax filings that reported the company had donated up to $1.6 million to Christian organization The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, $6,000 to Paul Anderson Youth Home and $150,000 to the Salvation Army.

ThinkProgress had released a statement.

“The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a religious organization that seeks to spread an anti-LGBTQ message to college athletes and requires a strict “sexual purity” policy for its employees that bars any “homosexual acts.” Paul Anderson Youth Home, a “Christian residential home for trouble youth,” teaches boys that homosexuality is wrong and that same-sex marriage is “rage against Jesus Christ and His values.”

ThinkProgress even stated that The Salvation Army had a track record of opposing legal protections for LGBTQ Americans and also stated that CFA no longer supports the Paul Anderson Home as of June of 2017.

With this data, Treviño motioned for the ban of the major fast food chain at the San Antonio International Airport.

“With this decision, the City Council reaffirmed the work our city has done to become a champion of equality and inclusion. San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior. Everyone has a place here, and everyone should feel welcome when they walk through our airport”

Chick-Fil-A responded: “This is the first we’ve heard of this. It’s disappointing. We would have liked to have a dialogue with the city council before this decision was made. We agree with Councilmember Treviño that everyone is and should feel welcome at Chick-Fil-A. We plan to reach out to the city council to gain a better understanding of this decision.”

The Chick-Fil-A rep continued,“We have a fundamental code of conduct at Chick-fil-A: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The 140,000 people who serve customers in our restaurants on a daily basis represent and embrace all people, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity,” they continued. “Our intent is to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.”

The concessions agreement will be in effect for seven years from The City of San Antonio, shutting out Chick-Fil-A from the airport. The city is planning to secure a new national branded restaurant to take place of Chick-Fil-A.