Hundreds of thousands of people across the country headed to Chick-fil-A restaurants on Wednesday, answering a call from Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas, to show support for the fast-food chain after the company's president drew criticism for his opposition to same-sex marriage.
Long lines were seen outside Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide, and many customers documented their visits on social media sites and shared their reasons for eating at the chain.
Many said they showed up because they agreed with the position of Chick-fil-A's president on same-sex marriage, while others said they wanted to support freedom of expression for business owners.
I want to eat at Chick-fil-A because I believe in freedom of spe ech and religion â€" regardless of my stance on gay unions.
- divadoll123 (@divadoll123) 1 Aug 12
As my colleagues Kim Severson and Robbie Brown report from Atlanta, where Chick-fil-A began in the 1940s, the president, Dan T. Cathy, made comments last month about the biblical arguments against homosexuality. This prompted calls to boycott Chick-fil-A that were supported by the mayors of Boston and Chicago, along with plans for a same-sex kiss-in at the restaurants on Friday.
Last weekend, Mr. Huckabee used his television and radio programs, as well as Facebook, to help organize an appreciation day for Chick-fil-A on Wednesday.
More than 650,000 people signed up to participate, and tens of thousands “liked†photos of packed restaurants that Mr. Huckabee posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
Met Mike Huckabee today!!!! Nice man http://t.co/34bqIYri
- lisa taylor (@loverli31) 1 Aug 12
Below are some of the photos shared Wednesday on Twitter from Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country.
My Pastor @BishopPMorton took the Changing A Generation staff to Original Chick-Fil-A for lunch today! http://t.co/YjGloTKN
- Gwendolyn Morton (@GwendolynMorton) 1 Aug 12
PIC: AWESOME…Look who else went to Chick-Fil-A today? http://t.co/RGUAxwdJ
- Bettina Viviano (@BettinaVLA) 1 Aug 12
The view from behind the counter at Paramus, NJ Chick Fil A http://t.co/w9vWwAcS
- toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) 1 Aug 12
In line at Chick fil A. Look at this line. http://t.co/42RPPVeh
- JD Hall (@PulpitAndPen) 1 Aug 12
The Chick-Fil-A line. Imagine if believers showed up in numbers like these for all o f the injustices of the world. http://t.co/yHS8tmO9
- George Robinson (@GeorgeERobinson) 1 Aug 12
Representative Michele Bachmann, Republican of Minnesota, shared a photo from her visit.
Ran into a hero outside @ChickfilA Thanks for your service, Colonel. http://t.co/CW6M9LWu
- Michele Bachmann (@TeamBachmann) 1 Aug 12
Last week, Sarah Palin posted a photo of her visit to a Chick-fil-A in California on her Facebook page.
Mr. Huckabee noted in regular audio updates Wednesday that Chick-fil-A did not participate in organizing the event. And there were no tweets or photos about the appreciation day on the company's Facebook or Twitter accounts.
Our mission is to create raving fans; we plan to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the political arena. http://t.co/eab3IDXa
- Chick-fil-A, Inc. (@ChickfilA) 19 Jul 12
In response to the outpouring of support for Chick-fil-A, many people used social media to share their disappointment.
I don't appreciate #ChickfilHATE RT if you agree w/ @HRC! http://t.co/ozwAmaPQ
- Denise Murray (@devinise) 2 Aug 12
If you went out of your way to go to Chick-Fil-A today to protest gay marriage you are a bigot, plain & simple.
- Steve Guthrie (@scguthrie) 1 Aug 12
One Facebook user who lives near Austin, Tex., posted this status update:
“It has been really disconcerting how many of my FB friends have stood up on the side of hate and proudly posted their photos of Chick-fil-a - and they all have their little quotes about how they ‘love their gay friends' but they ‘don't approve' of their lifestyles.
So I am asking you kindly to please un-friend me - I have no use for friends like you.â€
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has asked supporters to donate the cost of a meal at a Chick-fil-A, about $6.50, to gay and lesbian rights groups.
Facebook users are also signing up to participate in a “National Same-Sex Kiss Day†planned for Friday at Chick-fil-A restaurants. People are being encouraged to post photos of their kisses.
Others are not waiting until Friday to post their photos.
