News

Indiana pizzeria owners go underground as donations near $1 million

by Mark Hensch - 04/03/15 3:19 PM ET

The owners of a pizza shop at the center of the debate over Indiana’s religious freedom law have gone into hiding.

The Associated Press reported Crystal O’Connor and her family have taken refuge in an undisclosed location after saying earlier this week that Memories Pizza would not cater gay weddings.

{mosads}A Gofundme account launched for the Walkerton, Ind., restaurant has brought in more than $750,000. The flood of support comes as the O’Connors vow to reopen Memories despite backlash over their business practices.

At issue is Indiana’s new Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Gov. Mike Pence (R) on Thursday signed a fix he feels corrects the perception that it lets businesses discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

The law’s latest version now prohibits business discrimination against protected groups like the gay community. It also forbids using the law as a legal defense in situations where such discrimination may have occurred.

Pence first authorized the divisive law’s existence March 26. It immediately sparked protests in the Hoosier State and a critical backlash nationwide.

The uproar forced Pence to backpedal from his earlier support of the law. The 2016 GOP presidential candidate previously stated he would “stand” with its details last Sunday.

The law’s genesis additionally produced a #BoycottIndiana hashtag on Twitter. Tech companies, celebrities and even other state governments all ripped Indiana over its rulebook.

– Updated at 3:41 p.m.

Tags