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Reading LGBT protest held over Chick-fil-A outlet | Reading LGBT protest held over Chick-fil-A outlet |
(about 2 months later) | |
LGBT rights campaigners have protested outside a shopping centre about a US fast-food chain's donations to groups they say are anti-LGBT rights. | |
More than 60 people joined the protest outside The Oracle shopping centre in Reading, where Chick-fil-A opened its first branch on 10 October. | More than 60 people joined the protest outside The Oracle shopping centre in Reading, where Chick-fil-A opened its first branch on 10 October. |
On Friday, the centre said the chain's six-month lease would not be extended. | On Friday, the centre said the chain's six-month lease would not be extended. |
Chick-fil-A has said its donations were purely focused on youth and education. | Chick-fil-A has said its donations were purely focused on youth and education. |
Reading Pride, which organised the protest, said it would continue to campaign against the outlet until it left. | Reading Pride, which organised the protest, said it would continue to campaign against the outlet until it left. |
'Spread hatred' | 'Spread hatred' |
The group's Kirsten Bayes told protesters: "Companies like this have no place here in Reading and they have no place anywhere. | The group's Kirsten Bayes told protesters: "Companies like this have no place here in Reading and they have no place anywhere. |
"We are standing in solidarity with campaigners across the United States... for justice and freedom for LGBT people." | "We are standing in solidarity with campaigners across the United States... for justice and freedom for LGBT people." |
Reading Labour councillor Sarah Hacker said: "We can make sure that they don't spread their hatred across the UK." | Reading Labour councillor Sarah Hacker said: "We can make sure that they don't spread their hatred across the UK." |
The family-owned company is one of the biggest fast-food chains in the USA and boasts about 2,400 outlets across North America. | The family-owned company is one of the biggest fast-food chains in the USA and boasts about 2,400 outlets across North America. |
According to US news website Think Progress, the Chick-fil-A Foundation donated millions of dollars in 2017 to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Paul Anderson Youth Home and the US Salvation Army. | According to US news website Think Progress, the Chick-fil-A Foundation donated millions of dollars in 2017 to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Paul Anderson Youth Home and the US Salvation Army. |
LGBT campaigners said all three organisations have a reputation of being hostile to LGBT rights. | LGBT campaigners said all three organisations have a reputation of being hostile to LGBT rights. |
In 2012, the company's chairman sparked a US boycott when he said he opposed gay marriage. | In 2012, the company's chairman sparked a US boycott when he said he opposed gay marriage. |
On Friday, The Oracle said "the right thing to do" was to not extend the restaurant's lease. | On Friday, The Oracle said "the right thing to do" was to not extend the restaurant's lease. |
Chick-fil-A has previously told the BBC: "Our giving has always focused on youth and education. We have never donated with the purpose of supporting a social or political agenda. | Chick-fil-A has previously told the BBC: "Our giving has always focused on youth and education. We have never donated with the purpose of supporting a social or political agenda. |
"There are 145,000 people - black, white; gay, straight; Christian, non-Christian - who represent Chick-fil-A." | "There are 145,000 people - black, white; gay, straight; Christian, non-Christian - who represent Chick-fil-A." |
In a statement, the UK Salvation Army said it "strongly objected to being presented as homophobic or transphobic", adding that it had LGBT+ members and served people "without discrimination". | In a statement, the UK Salvation Army said it "strongly objected to being presented as homophobic or transphobic", adding that it had LGBT+ members and served people "without discrimination". |