Many Texans were unhappy with Chick-fil-A getting kicked out from the San Antonio airport. The controversy led the Texas Legislature to pass the 'Save Chick-fil-A' bill, and now there is a victory for those who wanted to sure the city over the decision last year.
Late last week, Judge David Canales, a Bexar County district judge, ruled that a lawsuit against the City of San Antonio over the ban could proceed.
Groups like Texas Values are happy with the dicision. Mary Elizabeth Castle, Policy Advisor for Texas Values said, “We applaud Judge Canales for allowing this case to continue, and are grateful for the Texas Legislature that protected religious freedom and First Amendment speech, including speech through donations.”
The “Save Chick-fil-A religious freedom law” was originally titled the Frist Amendment Defense Act. This bill has always prohibits government entities from taking “adverse action” against ANY individual or corporation based on their support, donation, or affiliation with a religious organization.
After this bill was signed into law by Governor Abbott, five residents of San Antonio sued the city due to their continued discrimination and ban against Chick-fil-A, thereby violating the new law. They are seeking an injunction that would require the City of San Antonio to install a Chick-fil-A restaurant in the San Antonio City airport as originally planned. The city of San Antonio moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the plaintiffs lacked standing and the plaintiffs were seeking to apply Senate Bill 1978 retroactively.
Judge David Canales rejected each of these arguments and held that the plaintiffs’ lawsuit against the city may proceed.