Backlash grows over Ind. religious objections law

INDIANAPOLIS (WLS) -- The Indianapolis City Council is taking action to denounce the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as Indiana Gov. Mike Pence tries to quiet critics who say the new law is a license to discriminate.

In Indianapolis, the city council passed a resolution Monday night opposing the law called the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act. As written, the law is meant to protect religious freedom by preventing the government from forcing people to provide services they object to on religious grounds.

Several states and the federal government have enacted similar laws, but critics worry that because Indiana law does not prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation, business owners now have license to turn away gays and lesbians.

"We're not going to change the law," Gov. Mike Pence said on ABC's "This Week".

ABC's George Stephanopoulos asked: "Do you think it should be legal in the state of Indiana to discriminate against gays or lesbians?"

Pence: "George..."

Stephanopoulos: "It's a yes or no question."

Pence: "Come on. Hoosiers don't believe in discrimination."

Indiana lawmakers are vowing to tweak the law with a growing number of companies, colleges, and convention holders - many based in Indiana - public in their opposition.

The Chicago band Wilco canceled its May 7 show in Indianapolis and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) pulled out of a convention.

Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said the new law is inconsistent with Indiana's reputation as a business-friendly state.

"It gives us a huge black eye," she said.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. joins Freeman in opposing the law.

"We welcome everybody in Hammond. We want people who want to invest in our community, and this is sending the wrong signal," he said.

The NCAA is hosting its Final Four in Indianapolis this weekend, but the organization is considering moving future events if the law goes into effect in its current form.

"We the NCAA have to sit down and say, alright, if this environment remains the way it is, what does that mean for us going forward?" said Mark Emert, NCAA president.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel is quick to court companies in Indiana. On Monday, Emanuel sent letters touting the benefits of relocating to Chicago.

In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal Monday night, Gov. Pence defends the law and his support of it, writing: "If I saw a restaurant owner refuse to serve a gay couple, I wouldn't eat there anymore."