Nationwide, people are showing up in droves at Chick-Fil-A restaurants, and the lines have not slowed down all day at the Albany Chick Fil A drive thru.
Customer Kim Duffy said, "I just support free speech. I happen to share their beliefs, but I especially believe that everyone should be able to speak what they believe without having to fear the repercussions."
South Georgians stood in long lines to buy Chick Fil A food- not just for the nourishment, but to make a statement.
"Because I want to support this Christian establishment," Stacey Hughes said. "We have a right to serve Jesus Christ as our heart dictates. And we should be allowed to do that."
After Chick Fil A president Dan Cathy said in an interview that he believes in the Biblical Family Unit, gay organizations called for pickets of the restaurants. Mayors from Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco warned the chain would be kept out of their cities.
"I'm definitely in favor of Chick Fil A and being able to say what he wants to say," said Russell Medlin. "And when the gays decide that they are going to try to close them down, I'm against that completely."
"We're supporting freedom of speech," said Melissa Benjamin. "Freedom to be able to express what you think is right."
"I support what Chick-fil-A believes in. And the Bible and what the Bible says about gay marriage and I just support Chick-fil-A," Jimmy Harrington said.
Church leaders say they are not surprised with the show of support from South Georgians.
"we love what they stand for,"said Sherwood Baptist Church Senior Associate Pastor Ken Bevel. "We think the Cathy family is standing on Biblical standards. And we just support what they are doing. Because they are following God's law."
Chick-Fil-A officials said in a statement "They treat every person with honor, dignity, and respect regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same sex marriage to the government and political arena."
Sheila Williams said she's glad to see all these people"Yes, yes. We need to. We can't left this sneak up on us. So yes, I'm glad."
South Georgians by buying chicken sandwiches today, saying freedom of speech and religious freedom are still very important to them, and they came out today to show their support.
Some Gay Rights Groups are calling for a quote "Kiss in" on Friday to voice their opinions.
Copyright 2012 WALB. All rights reserved.
Chik-fil-A was one huge traffic jam in Albany
The line to order grew by a factor of 10 about lunchtime
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Worldnow and WALB, a Raycom Media Station. 
