UWS Pol Pens Scathing Letter About An Incoming Chick-fil-A

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Upper West Side Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal recently wrote to the New York State Thruway Authority urging it not to allow a Chick-fil-A to get built within a service area along the I-90 highway.

"The last thing our service areas need is a restaurant serving up chicken sandwiches with a heaping side of bigotry," Rosenthal wrote.

Within her letter — the Assembly Member who represents an area from West 42nd Street to West 93rd Street — cites the fast-food chain's history of donating "millions of dollars to anti-LGBTQ+ causes."

"New York State has long stood on the right side of history and supported the LGBTQ+ community, but this decision flies in the face of our progressive values and will undermine the progress we have worked to achieve," Rosenthal wrote.

The construction of a new Chick-fil-A is part of the New York State Thruway Authority's planned $450 million renovation project of service areas along I-90. The project also plans to add fast food options such as Shake Shack, Panda Express, and Panera.

Rosenthal joins a list of other New York State Assembly members opposing the new Chick-fil-A, including Harry Bronson, UWS representative Danny O'Donnell, and Deborah Glick.

The New York State Thruway Authority provided 13WHAM the following statement about the incoming Chick-fil-A.

"The New York State Thruway Authority, its Board of Directors, and staff support an inclusive environment that treats the tens of millions of people that travel our system with dignity and respect. Our private partner in the Service Area redevelopment project, Empire State Thruway Partners, explored a selection of restaurants and finalized agreements with specific brands to operate at the redeveloped service areas to enhance and improve the travel experience for our customers. There are no state taxpayer dollars or toll payer funds supporting the redevelopment of the Thruway’s 27 service areas. Every restaurant brand included by Empire State Thruway Partners has a contractual responsibility, and is legally required, under New York State law, including the New York State Human Rights Law and Executive Orders, to adhere to the inclusive and non-discriminatory standards that New York State embraces.”

You can read Rosenthal's full letter below.

Chick-fil-A has a long history of supporting anti-LGBTQ+ orgs. Last week, I wrote to @NYSThruway urging it not to allow @ChickfilA in Thruway service areas.

The last thing our service areas need is a restaurant serving up chicken sandwiches with a heaping side of bigotry. pic.twitter.com/86xR2ywMGv
— Linda B. Rosenthal “the #OriginalRosenthal” (@LindaBRosenthal) July 12, 2021