Money Rolls In For Indiana Pizzeria Amid Backlash Over 'Religious Freedom' Flap
Updated 04/03/15 - 2:08 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A northern Indiana pizzeria that found itself at the center of the heated debate over the state's Indiana religious law might never reopen, but the family who owns it shouldn't have to worry about the money they're losing.
The O'Connor family closed Memories Pizza in Walkerton, Indiana, this week, amid a heated backlash after saying they might not cater to gay and lesbian couples due to their religious beliefs.
What started as an effort to raise $25,000 for the O'Connors while their business is closed turned into nearly $750,000 and counting, as of Friday afternoon.
The pizza shop remained closed Friday, and co-owner Crystal O'Connor said it might never open again, considering all the hate and threats they have experienced after they voiced support for the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and said they would serve gay customers, but would say no if a gay or lesbian couple asked them to cater their wedding.
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Since then, the O'Connors experienced the online equivalent of having angry villagers surround them with pitchforks and backlash.
Threats against the O'Connors included a tweet from a high school golf coach, who was suspended from her job after suggesting Memories Pizza be burned down. The coach faces possible criminal charges.
Amid all the backlash, supporters set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for the O'Connors.
"We know how zealous some people are, in terms of depriving someone of their livelihood, or ruining their lives, simply because they cannot tolerate their Christian faith," Blaze TV host Dana Loesch told O'Connor.
As of 10 a.m. Friday, the GoFundMe page had raised more than $535,000 for the O'Connors. Within four hours, that total had ballooned to more than $737,000.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and state lawmakers have since amended the RFRA, prohibiting businesses from using the law as a legal defense for refusing to provide anyone service. The changes also bar discrimination based on race, religion, color, ancestry, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or military service.
