Some business owners in Mississippi are
protesting a controversial law which opponents say allows businesses
to discriminate against gays.
Round blue stickers declaring “We
don't discriminate. If you're buying, we're selling” are being
displayed in the windows of hundreds of businesses.
The window sticker campaign is a
response to passage of the Mississippi Religious Freedom Restoration
Act. The law, which takes effect July 1, aims to “provide that
state action or an action by any person based on state action shall
not burden a person's right to the exercise of religion.”
Opponents say the measure could allow
businesses and individuals to refuse services to gay people and
minorities.
“People are going to take it as
permission, if you will, to discriminate against people they don't
necessarily agree with or like,” Eddie Outlaw, who married his
husband in another state and owns a hair salon in Jackson, told
the AP.
“We have a long and well-documented
history of discrimination in this state,” said Outlaw, an organizer
of the “We don't discriminate” campaign. “To think there won't
be any discrimination is laughable.”
Five hundred decals have already been
distributed to businesses and an additional 1,000 stickers are on
order.
After a loud outcry, Arizona Governor
Jan Brewer in February vetoed a similar bill. Lawmakers in other
states have rejected similar measures.