Hobby Lobby Appreciation Day is taking place on January 5. Millions of emails began entering in boxes yesterday to alert potential customers about the day designed to let Americans “Stand Up for Religious Freedom.”
The Green family, which founded the mega craft supply company, could face up to $1.3 million per day fines unless it violates the principle Christian beliefs the company was built upon, according to The Heritage Foundation . Hobby Lobby reportedly employs more than 22,000 workers.
Hobby Lobby renewed its employee health care plan for 2013, which triggered a mandate by the Department of Health and Human Services. Under the measures outlined in Obamacare, the company would reportedly be forced to offer coverage of abortion-inducing drugs. Medications which qualify for coverage under Obamacare include Plan B, otherwise known as the “morning after” pill and Ella, also referred to as the “week after” pill.
None of Hobby Lobby’s 500 stores are open on Sunday, as per the company’s Christian beliefs to allow time for employees to go to church and spend time with their families. More than 30,000 Americans have pledged to shop at the store on Hobby Lobby Appreciation Day to show support for the religious objection stance taken by the company.
Former Arkansas Governor and Fox News host Mike Huckabee had this to say about Hobby Lobby:
“Hobby Lobby’s generosity to missions, to the relief of poverty around the world, to Christian education, and to their employees is legendary and exemplifies the kind of business principle that should be applauded and appreciated. Instead they are having to fight in court for the most basic of American rights of freedom of religion and freedom of speech.”
Last week Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor denied a temporary reprieve from the Obamacare mandate while Hobby Lobby moved forward with its appeal of the abortion-inducing medications measure.