SAN ANTONIO – UPDATE: City Council on Thursday voted against bringing back the Chick-fil-A controversy for another vote.
The motion failed by a vote of 6-5.
Here is how the voting went down:
Voting For:
- District 3 Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran
- District 6 Councilman Greg Brockhouse
- District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez
- District 9 Councilman John Courage
- District 10 Councilman Clayton Perry
Voting Against:
- Mayor Ron Nirenberg
- District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino
- District 2 Councilman Art Hall
- District 4 Councilman Rey Saldana
- District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales
- District 7 Councilwoman Ana Sandoval
Brockhouse released the following statement:
“We had a chance to debate and re-vote the removal of Chick-fil-A from the Airport. The City Council voted 6-5 to deny that debate and potential re-vote. When this Council kicked Chick-fil-A out of the Airport we sent a message to our City, the State and the Nation that we do not respect religious freedom. It has hurt our reputation and sent a message that does not reflect San Antonio and its families. We had a chance to fix that today and follow the will of our City, who have spoken clearly that the removal of Chick-fil-A was a mistake. This Council again rejected religious freedom and voted against people of faith. Make no mistake, this was never about a chicken sandwich. It was about respecting everyone in our community, honoring faith and being all inclusive. We failed our City today and it will hurt our community reputation as people and businesses will now have to consider who is next when it comes to singling out people of faith.”
Nirenberg released the following statement:
"We've spent far too much time letting Councilman Brockhouse try to exploit a fast food subcontract for his own political gain.
"I've said from the beginning that I voted in the best interests of passengers and taxpayers, and it's important to have something open 7 days a week and preferably local.
"Regardless of this outcome of this vote, no business, operating within the law, shall be barred from operating in the city of San Antonio.
"I've called for an open B session so that the council and citizens can further discuss contracting issues to ensure that our processes are operating under the full compliance of local, state and federal regulations."
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(Original Story)
City Council is expected to vote Thursday on whether it wants to bring the Chick-fil-A controversy back up for a vote.
Councilman Greg Brockhouse said he intends to bring up a motion to vote on a proposed amendment to the airport concessions agreement that would bring Chick-fil-A back into the mix.
The City Council voted earlier this year on a new contract with a vendor provided Chick-fil-A be left out of the deal, citing the restaurant chain's donations to anti-LGBTQ organizations.
Religious leaders and activists held a save Chick-fil-A rally Wednesday on the steps of the state Capitol in Austin to support religious freedom and protest the City Council's decision.
If the City Council votes to put the amendment up for a vote, that vote could come in early May.
This is a developing story. Stay with KSAT 12 both online and on-air for more information.