Indiana 'Religious Freedom' Law Spurs 'This Business Serves Everyone' Movement
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Stickers reading "This Business Serves Everyone" have popping up in shop windows across Indiana, as a response to the state's controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
On Thursday, Indiana Gov. Mike pence signed the new law, which would protect businesses that choose not to serve customers based on religious grounds. Opponents have said it would give businesses the right to discriminate against gays and lesbians.
Some business owners in Indiana said they would be fools to discriminate against anyone, because it would be bad for business. That position was being reinforced in the form of stickers in many storefronts, telling customers "This Business Serves Everyone."
"It kind of helps, hopefully, perpetuate what I'd like to call an open-door economy, to where people who believe in non-discriminatory business practices will go ahead and take their money there, instead of potentially being turned away," said Valparaiso native Josh Driver, who created the stickers.
Two weeks ago, he started a campaign called "Open For Service." Driver said, not only have businesses embraced the idea, but so have consumers.
"We have so many people that are flooding the businesses that have signed up already, simply because of their support for this campaign. They may not have a need to buy something, but they are spending their money there anyway," he said.
Stickers, buttons, and car magnets can be purchased for $10 at openforservice.org. Driver said the campaign already has raised more than $15,000 for SCORE, a non-profit that helps small businesses get started.
They also sell "This Organization Serves Everyone" stickers, for churches and other organizations; and "This Person Supports Everyone" stickers for individuals who don't own a business, but want to support the campaign.
You can also buy T-shirts and coffee mugs with the slogans.