A rally, Tuesday night, urging residents to vote against ordinance 5781. The proposed anti-discrimination ordinance has supporters and opponents squaring off.
Hundreds attended the event hosted at University Baptist Church, in Fayetteville.
“You guys are facing the same issues that we faced in Oregon, and that is a law that really is seemingly needless,” Oregon Business Owner, Aaron Klein, said.
An Oregon couple speaking at the ‘Protect Fayetteville’ rally, Tuesday night.
“We just feel that we also should have the right to you know not necessarily refuse a person but refuse an event,” Oregon Business Owner, Melissa Klein, said.
Aaron and Melissa Klein are being sued for $135,000 in emotional damages after refusing to cater the wedding of a lesbian couple, back in 2013. The couple is in the process of appealing the lawsuit.
“[The ordinance] leaves the door wide open to force people to adhere to something they don’t want to adhere to,” Aaron Klein said.
City Attorney, Kit Williams, says Fayetteville’s proposed ordinance would exempt churches, religious groups and daycares. Ordinance 5781 protects business, living and employment rights of the LGBT community.
Supporters of the anti-discrimination ordinance attending Tuesday night’s rally.
“We were hoping we could come and listen and just get some insight into the opposition’s perspective,” Supporter, Danielle Weatherby, said.
The group of four supporters were quickly asked to leave the ‘Protect Fayetteville’ rally.
Fayetteville Police were eventually called to the event and escorted supporters off the premises.
“Unfortunately we’ve been asked to leave the gathering here tonight for no good reason,” Weatherby said.
If passed, violations of ordinance 5781 will result in a $100 fine, for the first offense, according to the proposed ordinance.
The anti-discrimination ordinance will head to the polls September 8th.
