The Indiana pizzeria owners under fire for their stated refusal to cater a gay wedding responded gratefully Thursday to a massive outpouring of financial and moral support, including more than $250,000 in donations.
“Once the other folks started supporting, and we were getting support from the other side, it really bolstered us and made us feel a lot better and more comfortable,” Kevin O’Connor told Dana Loesch in an interview on The Blaze. “There was so much negativity. It beats you down to nothing.”
“But it’s been fantastic the support we have got,” he continued. “I don’t have words to describe it.”
He and his daughter Crystal received death threats after they told a local reporter their business, Memories Pizza, would never refuse a gay customer, but would have to refuse to cater a gay wedding if asked. The reporter sought them out to answer the hypothetical question in search of a story to bolster critics of a religious freedom law enacted in Indiana this week. (RELATED: How A Local TV Station Ruined A Business And Threatened A Family’s Safety)
A few people threatened to burn the shop to the ground, and the O’Connor’s closed the shop indefinitely, and considered moving out of town. But in the interview Thursday, Kevin told Loesch the shop will stay in place and reopen. (RELATED: Owners Of Indiana Pizza Shop Opposed To Gay Marriage Receive Death Threats)
“The town has been supportive,” he said.
A reporter for Loesch’s show set up a gofundme page Wednesday to offset any financial burden to the family, and as of Friday morning 18,726 people had donated nearly $550,000 through the site.
“Even without the money — that’s a secondary thing — just the kind words is what really built me back up,” Kevin said. “You gotta have money to live but it’s not important.”
Crystal was near tears when asked to comment. I’ve been telling people that I’m in awe,” she said. “I’m humbled. I am humbled to be God’s servant and stand up for what is right.”
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