Congressman Danny Davis, Illinois Democrat, who represents Chicago’s west side disagreed with Mayor Rahm Emanuel and local Chicago Democrat Ald. Joe Moreno who are looking to block restaurant chain “Chick-fil-A” from opening up any further businesses in the city due to the company’s CEO support of traditional marriage.
“I think people should have the right to believe whatever it is they believe. That’s what America is about. That’s what America promotes. That’s what I believe and I think my rights end where the next person’s rights begin,” Rep. Davis told me on Thursday.
The Chicago Sun Times reported:
“Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values. They’re not respectful of our residents, our neighbors and our family members. And if you’re gonna be part of the Chicago community, you should reflect Chicago values,” Emanuel said Wednesday.
“What the CEO has said as it relates to gay marriage and gay couples is not what I believe, but more importantly, it’s not what the people of Chicago believe. We just passed legislation as it relates to civil union and my goal and my hope … is that we now move on recognizing gay marriage. I do not believe that the CEO’s comments … reflects who we are as a city.”
Ald. Joe Moreno (1st) is using the same argument to block Chick-fil-A from opening its first free-standing restaurant in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood.
“I certainly don’t support that concept,” Davis said, when I asked if he believed politicians should bar businesses from opening up because of a CEO’s religious belief.
