Nightly News   |  August 01, 2012

Chick-fil-A ignites culture wars

When the president of the fast-food chain spoke publically about his opposition to gay marriage, mayors around the country responded by saying Chick-fil-A wasn’t welcome in their cities. But some say the businessman’s personal views are irrelevant. NBC’s John Yang reports.

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This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>> big story across the u.s. these past few days combining food and free speech . for those who live near one chick-fil-a does a good product and does it well. it is when the man in charge branched to family values is when the larger debate of same sex marriage came into view. from texas to pennsylvania to chicago people lined up in big numbers to support a fast food chain under fire.

>> support people's rights to boycott but a company whose values are similar to our own.

>> we want to show our support for the founding family and his right to free speech .

>> reporter: the crowds were responding to calls from conservative and christian leaders to support the chain in the fire storm over the president's public opposition to gay marriage . a chicken sandwich has become a symbol. it began in june when chick-fil-a president dan kathy appeared on a radio show .

>> god's judgment on our nation when we say better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.

>> reporter: some mayors said chick-fil-a would not be welcome in their cities.

>> there is just no place for them in the city.

>> reporter: even the muppets have joined the opposition, the jim henson company dropping out of a deal to join the chain and donating the money they already received from the chain to a gay rights group. other city leaders say a businessman's personal views are irrelevant.

>> you don't want to ask political believes before you issue a permit.

>> reporter: experts say this shows the risk of speaking out.

>> it is difficult enough to attract customers that the last thing a brand wants to do is get on one side or the other of a controversial topic like this.

>> reporter: as a fast food chain becomes a battle ground in the culture wars .