The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of Civil Rights announced that it has opened an investigation into two religious discrimination cases concerning Chick-Fil-A. The Daily Wire reports that San Antonio International and Buffalo Niagara International airports are under investigation by the FAA “after the department received multiple complaints.”
“The Department of Transportation has received complaints alleging discrimination by two airport operators against a private company due to the expression of the owner’s religious beliefs,” the agency said in a statement to Fox News. The Wire reported that FAA federal “requirements prohibit airport operators from excluding persons on the basis of religious creed from participating in airport activities that receive or benefit from FAA grant funding.”
The San Antonio City Council banned the popular restaurant from having a location at the airport because of the chain’s religious viewpoint. Civil Rights law firm First Liberty Institute asked United States Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to investigate the discrimination in March.
The San Antonio Express-News reported that “Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a separate state inquiry a week after the City Council vote, intended to determine whether the city violated Texas laws.”
Chick-fil-A has long been a target of the political Left and Democrat politicians. Chick-Fil-A was founded by Truett Cathey and operates its business under Christian principles, closing all their restaurants on Sunday since the restaurant chain was founded.
Attorney Keisha Russell, with First Liberty Institute, stated that “American business owners should not have to suffer because they want to operate their businesses in accordance with their religious beliefs. Few things are more un-American than government hostility against religion.”
Democrat New York Assemblyman Sean Ryan representing the 149th Assembly District, who describes himself on Twitter as a “progressive fighter for Western New Yorkers” led the attack against the private business. Ryan stated he was disappointed Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) allowed Chick-Fil-A into the airport. He claimed it “sends the wrong message” by allowing Chick-Fil-A to open there.
He further stated that the views of “Chick-Fil-A do not represent our state or the Western New York community.” He finished his Twitter statement urging NFTA to “reverse” the decision to allow Chick-Fil-A into the airport.
Ironically, the charge comes on the dawn of the 10th annual FAA National Civil Rights Training Conference for Airports. Their motto is “strengthening our nation’s airports through diversity, equal access, and equal rights.” The FAA is currently investigating the claims of discrimination.
Michael Reed is Editor of The Standard, a pastor, businessman and conference speaker.
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