De Blasio Calls For Boycott Of New Chick-Fil-A Location

A new Chick-fil-A location is opening its first restaurant in Queens, but not everyone seems to be on board.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, for one, has made no secret of his opposition to the chain. In an unrelated press conference, he says, "What the ownership of Chick-fil-A has said is wrong," referencing statements in 2012 by a company executive "blasting same-sex marriage," and "millions of dollars donated to anti-gay groups," reports DNAinfo.

Though de Blasio says the restaurant has a right to open, he discourages New Yorkers from eating there. He says, "I'm certainly not going to patronize them and I wouldn't urge any other New Yorker to patronize them. But they do have a legal right"

De Blasio's remarks have drawn criticism from Christian leaders, who call his boycott "bullying, intolerance, and discrimination," quotes GrubStreet.

Todd Starnes, a Fox News contributor, says de Blasio is deluded. He says, "New Yorkers don't seem all that interested in obeying the mayor's boycott... Chick-fil-A is not in the business of spreading hate. They are in the business of selling chicken and waffle fries and deliciously refreshing lemonade."

A Chick-fil-A spokesperson said, "The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect — regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender."

Think you know Chick-fil-A? Check out our list of 10 things you (probably) didn't know about the chain.