Chick-fil-A supporters out in full force

• Tweet

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" brought out swarms of people across the United States to celebrate the chain.

In light of a national backlash over recent remarks made by the chain's president and chief operating officer, Dan Cathy, about his stance against gay marriage, Huckabee struck back, vowing to bring in business to combat the boycott.

"The goal is simple: Let's affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, August 1," Huckabee posted on his Facebook page.

CNN reported the rally cry by Huckabee, a former Southern Baptist pastor and 2008 Republican presidential candidate who is now a television political commentator, brought out supporters in droves to locations in Dallas, Smyrna, Ga., and Laurel, Miss. Facebook was flooded with photos of fans holding up Chick-fil-A bags.

In response, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or GLAAD, is planning a "National Same-Sex Kiss Day" Friday at Chick-fil-A locations across the country. Proponents of gay marriage are encouraging supporters to donate the approximate cost of a Chick-fil-A meal, $6.50, to GLAAD.