Call it a reverse boycott.
Lines of cars and people surrounded Chick-Fil-A in Bakersfield and across the country Wednesday. It's for what's been dubbed "Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day" by some Republican leaders. And, comes after the restaurant's CEO, Dan Cathy, made a statement to a Baptist journal that has become controversial among gays and lesbians and their supporters.
He said, "We are very much supportive of family, the Biblical definition of a family unit. We are married to our first wives. We give thanks for that."
Workers ran to keep up with the orders. And, outside the Chick-Fil-A, more orders were coming in, as lines of people braved the heat and clogged intersections for Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day.
"Uh, it's insane," said customer Sherrie Lewis.
"It's kind of out of my way where I live and work. But, today I did and probably in the next couple of months I'll be doing it as well," added Angelo Frazier.
6:25:55 "They're standing up for what they believe in, and I support that," said Nick Frey.
The show of support comes after the Christian-based company's CEO made comments on his business's stance on marriage. It outraged supporters of the gay and lesbian community.
"The executives of Chick-Fil-A have actually chosen to hide behind the rhetoric that they are family-oriented when, in fact, they are not supporting all families," said Matt Guenther with PFLAG.
Guenther is boycotting the company along with many supporters of the gay and lesbian community, calling the CEO's comments destructive.
"By driving a wedge between two groups you prevent that mutual regard for each other and you prevent the ability to exchange ideas and to find common ground," said Guenther.
The crowds in Bakersfield were copied by similar shows of support across the country.
"I'm going to stay away from these organizations because they don't respect me as an individual and they actively try to hurt me," said Guenther.
A statement from the restaurant's executives emphasized they did not create the Appreciation Day, but they appreciate all of the customers and are happy to serve them at any time.
Lines of cars and people surrounded Chick-Fil-A in Bakersfield and across the country Wednesday. It's for what's been dubbed "Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day" by some Republican leaders. And, comes after the restaurant's CEO, Dan Cathy, made a statement to a Baptist journal that has become controversial among gays and lesbians and their supporters.
He said, "We are very much supportive of family, the Biblical definition of a family unit. We are married to our first wives. We give thanks for that."
Workers ran to keep up with the orders. And, outside the Chick-Fil-A, more orders were coming in, as lines of people braved the heat and clogged intersections for Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day.
"Uh, it's insane," said customer Sherrie Lewis.
"It's kind of out of my way where I live and work. But, today I did and probably in the next couple of months I'll be doing it as well," added Angelo Frazier.
6:25:55 "They're standing up for what they believe in, and I support that," said Nick Frey.
The show of support comes after the Christian-based company's CEO made comments on his business's stance on marriage. It outraged supporters of the gay and lesbian community.
"The executives of Chick-Fil-A have actually chosen to hide behind the rhetoric that they are family-oriented when, in fact, they are not supporting all families," said Matt Guenther with PFLAG.
Guenther is boycotting the company along with many supporters of the gay and lesbian community, calling the CEO's comments destructive.
"By driving a wedge between two groups you prevent that mutual regard for each other and you prevent the ability to exchange ideas and to find common ground," said Guenther.
The crowds in Bakersfield were copied by similar shows of support across the country.
"I'm going to stay away from these organizations because they don't respect me as an individual and they actively try to hurt me," said Guenther.
A statement from the restaurant's executives emphasized they did not create the Appreciation Day, but they appreciate all of the customers and are happy to serve them at any time.