A Group of Citizens Just Filed a Lawsuit Against San Antonio for Discriminating Against Chick-fil-A

San Antonio’s city council voted to bar Christian-owned restaurant Chick-fil-A from the city’s airport in March because the owners believe marriage is the union between only one man and one woman, and Chick-fil-A donates to causes that support marriage.

Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general, opened an investigation to determine whether the city discriminated against the company based on religious beliefs. The legislature acted as well and passed a bill barring the government from taking adverse action against a person based on “membership in, affiliation with, or contribution, donation, or other support provided to a religious organization.” Governor Greg Abbott signed the measure into law in June.

This law is the basis of recent legal action against the city. A group of citizens filed a lawsuit against San Antonio last week, citing a violation of the new state law. From Christian Headlines:

“According to our city council,” said city and plaintiff Michael Knuffke, “strongly held Christian principles mean you can’t conduct business in our city’s airport. Perhaps soon they will decide those who adopt traditional values should not be allowed to conduct business in our city at all. We need to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
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“The city’s ban is designed to bully Christian businesses into government-mandated compliance,” said plaintiff Jason Khattar. “But we believe the faith communities will come out in a big way to support religious liberty.”

The citizens set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for court fees.

A spokesperson for San Antonio said the plaintiffs are citing a law that didn’t exist when the city barred Chick-fil-A from the airport. Although true, the court may consider other religious-protection laws.

Photo credit: ccpixs.com