Second group joins planned protest for Chick-fil-A opening in Toronto

Chick-fil-A is hatching in the city, and many Torontonians are not excited for its arrival.

The Atlanta-based restaurant chain, best known for its fried chicken sandwiches served with a side of controversy, will open at 1 Bloor Street East at 10:30 am on September 6.

Last week, Liberation TO launched a Facebook Event Page entitled “Protest at Chick-fil-A,” for people to share information, and “keep an eye” on the restaurant.

Plans for a protest on opening day have since solidified, and a second group — The 519 and its Army of Lovers — is gearing up to join the event.

See also:

• Chick-fil-A officially opening first international store in Toronto next week
• There’s already a protest planned for the opening of Chick-fil-A in Toronto
• 5 things you need to know about Chick-fil-A before it arrives in Toronto

“We invite our communities and allies to meet at The 519 [519 Church St] at 9:30 am for coffee and sign-making. We will leave for the protest site at 10:00am,” the group’s website reads.

It also offers a detailed description of why they’re protesting. Reasons include, according to the website:

• 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.

It is time for hate and discrimination to #CluckOff. Join us to protest against the opening of Chick-fil-A in Toronto on Friday, September 6.
More details in our detailed announcement: https://t.co/ttztFOD1Aj#LGBTQ2S #Toronto #ArmyOfLovers pic.twitter.com/8uf8VlW1nt

— The 519 (@The519) September 4, 2019

So far, 46 people have RSVPd to the original Facebook Event Page, while 145 have responded “Interested.”

Chick-fil-A Grand Opening Protest

Where: 1 Bloor Street East
When: Friday, September 6 from 10:30 am