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Chick-fil-A vandalized with marriage equality stickers, rainbow flags

Chick-fil-A vandalized with marriage equality stickers, rainbow flags

FREDERICK, Md. — A Chick-fil-A restaurant located on on Urbana Pike in Frederick, Md., was vandalized in the early morning hours on Sunday, according to a spokesman for Frederick County sheriff’s office.

Deputy-Corporal Gregory Santangelo said items glued to the store’s windows included marriage equality stickers and an image with the American and gay pride flags combined. There were also several homemade signs, he said, noting that physical evidence and video surveillance of a suspect were collected at the scene.

At least two other Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country have been vandalized since the company’s president, Dan Cathy, told the Baptist Press he did not support gay marriage, and acknowledged his company had donated millions of dollars to anti-gay organizations.

Among the stickers used to vandalize the restaurant were of the Human Rights Campaign’s logo — a yellow “equal” symbol on a dark blue, square background.

“Under no circumstances does HRC condone vandalism or the destruction of property,” said HRC spokesperson Dan Rafter.

“While this is certainly an issue that has stirred strong emotions on both sides, the only way we can effect real progress is by having a civil dialogue and continuing to educate consumers about the groups that Chick-fil-A donates to, and how those groups routinely demonize LGBT people,” said Rafter, in a statement.

“We change opinion by sharing our personal stories and humanizing this type of discrimination — not by vandalizing property in the middle of the night,” he said.

Josh Levin, campaign manager for Marylanders for Marriage Equality, issued a statement that read, in part, “We abhor any vandalism or disrespect in this campaign. … We encourage our supporters to have conversations with people they know who may be undecided on the issue.”

The restaurant opened as usual on Monday — all Chik-fil-A franchises are closed on Sundays, per company policy.

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