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Long Lines Across Colorado For Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day

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From Fort Collins to Colorado Springs, both lunch seekers and political supporters caused long lines at Chick-fil-A restaurants, many in observance of Mike Huckabee's 'Appreciation Day.'

The controversy started when Chick-fil-A's President Dan Cathy made statements in support of traditional marriage and against same-sex marriage. The backlash was swift and was deemed a 'wakeup call' for companies weighing in on social issues.

On the flip side though, conservative and former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee called for an 'Appreciation Day' in support of the embattled company.

http://youtu.be/6Fq67oRXzuc

Across the state many newspapers reported the same thing: long lines and many voicing their support for the traditional definition of marriage. The Coloradoan has a picture of a long line of patrons clear out into the parking lot at the Chick-fil-A on 3605 S. College Ave. in Fort Collins. The drive-thru was described as packed as well.

The Reporter-Herald's headline summed up the scene in Loveland succinctly, "Supporters mob Chick-fil-A in Loveland." The lines both for the lobby and the drive-thru were certainly out of the ordinary, as the Reporter-Herald further went on to state:

The outpouring at Loveland's Chick-fil-A paralyzed midday traffic at the Marketplace at Centerra on East Eisenhower Boulevard, where even on the busiest holiday retail weekends it flows smoothly.

The Times-Call reported a similar scene in Longmont:

Firestone resident Debbie Clever said she was there to show her support of Christian moral values and "traditional marriage, one man and one woman." "As I came around the corner, I saw the lines out the door," Clever said. "I just started laughing and I said 'Awesome!'" She said it took her about 30 minutes to get to the counter.

As is bound to happen in the age of social media, a counter protest is being organized in response to the 'Appreciation Day.' Gay rights activists are planning a national 'kiss-in' at Chick-fil-A's on Friday.

The organized response doesn't ruffle Mike Huckabee though; Politico reports that when Huckabee was asked about it on Fox and Friends he was OK with it.

“Probably I won’t be there for that,” Huckabee said. “But so what? That’s America. As long as they’re orderly, as long as they don’t disrupt the flow of customers and traffic — if they believe that will help their cause, to put people of the same sex kissing each other in a public place in front of families, if they believe that will encourage people to be more sympathetic, then, you know, more power to them."

Video courtesy of Fox 21 News, Colorado Springs.

I’m not a Colorado native (did you know that "I'm from Missouri" means "I'm skeptical of the matter and not easily convinced?") but I have lived here for most of my life and couldn't imagine leaving. After graduating from Colorado State University, I did what everyone wants to do; I moved to the mountains and skied, hiked, and hid from responsibility! Our listeners in the mountains may know me from my time in Steamboat Springs and Vail or as the voice of the Battle Mountain Huskies Hockey team in Vail.
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