Protesters surround opening of Chick-fil-A's first Canadian location (PHOTOS)

Sep 6 2019, 2:44 pm

Chick-fil-A hatched in Canada today, and Toronto is not all aboard the fried chicken train.

The Atlanta-based restaurant chain, best known for its sandwiches served with a side of controversy, is now open at 1 Bloor Street East, Toronto.

The premier Toronto location is the first stand-alone outlet outside of the United States… if you don’t count the counter at the Calgary International Airport that opened in 2014, which has since shuttered.

The opening was met by a large protest, led by Liberation TO and The 519 and its Army of Lovers, which was organized through Facebook and online over the last week.

The 519’s website offers the following reasons behind their plan to protest:

  • Chick-fil-A has given millions of dollars to anti-LGBTQ2S organizations, including known hate groups and proponents of conversion therapy, and continues to do so every year.
  • Chick-fil-A does not offer protection, benefits, or even diversity training for its LGBTQ2S employees (as evidenced in the Human Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index). While Canadian laws might offer more protection to workers, we stand against any corporation that discriminates against equity-seeking groups legally or illegally.
  • Many US cities, campuses, and retail outlets have refused to allow Chick-fil-A to locate within their spaces, and/or have been vocal opponents of the corporation’s hateful values. Toronto and the rest of Canada need to be next in line.

With Toronto police officers in attendance, protestors met this morning to share coffee and create signs (many of which read: “Cluck Off,”) and hit the pavement in advance of the eatery’s 10:30 opening.

Here’s a look at the turnout.

Kayla Gladysz / Daily Hive Toronto

Kayla Gladysz / Daily Hive Toronto

Kayla Gladysz / Daily Hive Toronto

Kayla Gladysz / Daily Hive Toronto

Kayla Gladysz / Daily Hive Toronto

Kayla Gladysz / Daily Hive Toronto

Kayla Gladysz / Daily Hive Toronto

Kayla GladyszKayla Gladysz

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