Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Indiana, was forced to close its doors on Wednesday after backlash from the owners' public comments that they would decline to cater a same-sex wedding due to their religious beliefs.
On Tuesday, Indiana's
ABC57 news station asked a Memories staff member to comment on the recent Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) passed by state government.
In discussing the new legislation, one member of the family-owned business, Crystal O’Connor, said that because of their faith, they would serve gay couples in their restaurant like anybody else, but would likely refuse if asked to cater a gay wedding.
"If a gay couple came in and wanted us to provide pizzas for their wedding we would have to say no," she said.
As Mediaite reported, the comments were picked up by the national media, and the O'Conner family soon began receiving death threats. For their own safety, they closed their restaurant the next day, and now say they might move out of Indiana entirely.
"I don't know if we will reopen, if we can," O'Connor told the Blaze Christian Radio, ABC reported. "We’re in hiding basically. Yep, staying in the house."
Because of all the threats, Walkerton's Assistant Police Chief Charles Kulp said that they are keeping a close eye on the family, and condemned the threat makers.
"We're a small town and don't like to be in the limelight for negative reasons," said Kulp.
At the same time, the O'Connors have also received support.
The New York Daily News reported Thursday that donations to Memories Pizza have poured in online, totaling more than $33,000 so far.
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