NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A plan to put Chick-fil-A restaurants at service areas along the New York State Thruway has sparked outrage among some lawmakers and LGBTQ groups.
The Atlanta-based fast food chain has faced similar opposition over its donations to groups that oppose same-sex marriage and Manhattan Assembly member Deborah Glick believes this is not the kind of company the State of New York should be doing business with.
"Chick-Fil-A has a long history of active involvement in supporting anti-gay activities," Glick told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell. "I think they've been very public in their support of denying basic rights to the LGBT community."
The Thruway Authority has a deal with a consortium to site restaurants in service areas as part of a $450 million redevelopment project.
Assembly member Harry Bronson said this is a public authority and it's not as simple as telling people to shop elsewhere.
"You're providing a captive audience of the people traveling the thruway," Bronson said.
Glick and Bronson have sent a letter to the Thruway Authority and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, asking the agency to reexamine the decision.
"New York has taken great strides to expand and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers," the letter read. "This move by the Thruway Authority, strikes us, as sending a message to LGBTQ+ individuals and families that it doesn't share the same commitment to their civil rights as New York State. We are requesting that you re-examine the list of approved concessions for these rest stops considering Chick-fil-A's action against the LGBTQ+ community."
A petition has also been set up for members of the public to add their signature to the letter.
The Thruway Authority points out there were no tax or toll dollars involved in the deal.
Chick-Fil-A claims it has no political or social agenda.
Last week, the Thruway Authority announced it plans to redevelop and modernize 27 service areas over the next several years.
The project will include updating the buildings which were originally put up in the 1950s, upgrading amenities and expanding food and beverage options to include Shake Shack, Panera, Popeyes, Burger King, Panda Express, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, Taste NY and Applegreen Convenience Store.