Protest Planned at Hollywood Chick-fil-A Saturday

The new Hollywood Chick-fil-A is officially open, but not everyone is celebrating.

Protesters plan to picket the restaurant at Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue on Saturday, starting at noon. They are angry over what they say are Chick-fil-A’s policies against gay rights.

“Our big beef with Chick-fil-A is that they have given over $1 million to groups that spread lies and propaganda about the LGBT community,” said organizer Reynold Watkins.

The protesters say that Chick-fil-A donates money to groups, including Focus on the Family and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, that are against gay rights.

Watkins said several groups are expected to participate in Saturday's protest.

Chandler Paul, who says he's not a Chick-fil-A fan, plans to protest as well. “I would never support a company with such [ulterior] motives from mine,” Paul said. “I'm for equality and fairness.”

Watkins said he is upset with Chick-fil-A because of the company's donations to charities.

“This is not a protest over religious belief,” Watkins said. “In-N-Out is another fast food restaurant that is overtly Christian and has a generous track record of charitable giving, but their philanthropy does not include donations to hate groups.”

Chick-fil-A is aware of Saturday's planned protest, but the chain does not discriminate against anyone, said spokeswoman Kim Hardcastle.

“The response to the restaurant has been overwhelmingly positive,” Hardcastle said. “We have received some questions from customers and other visitors to the restaurant since opening on Thursday, and we believe in the need for civility in dialogue with others who may have different beliefs. We want to make it clear that Chick-fil-A is not anti anybody and that we seek to treat everyone with honor, dignity and respect.”

Chick-fil-A also released an official statement on behalf of the new Hollywood location:

“We have a 65-year history of providing hospitality for all people and, as a dedicated family business, serving and valuing everyone regardless of their beliefs or opinions. We support a number of organizations that enrich the communities where we serve daily. Some of these organizations are faith-based and marriage focused and others are not. These donations have not been given to support an anti-gay political agenda.”

Los Angeles police officers are expected to be on hand during the protest.