INDIANAPOLIS — The heat over Indiana’s new religious objections law spread Friday across social media and to the White House as many local officials and business groups around the state tried to jump in and stem the fallout.

Use of the hashtag (hash)boycottindiana spread across Twitter, spurred on by activists such as “Star Trek” actor George Takei, who argued that the measure opens the door to legalized discrimination. Apple CEO Tim Cook also tweeted his objections.

Supporters of the bill that Republican Gov. Mike Pence signed Thursday say discrimination claims are overblown. They maintain courts haven’t allowed that to happen under similar laws covering the federal government and in 19 other states. The measure, which takes effect in July, prohibits state and local laws that “substantially burden” the ability of people – including businesses and associations – to follow their religious beliefs.

Some gay-rights groups say lawmakers in Indiana and a dozen other states proposed such bills this year as a way to grant a state-sanctioned waiver for discrimination as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to mull the gay marriage issue.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest on Friday noted the negative reaction to the Indiana law from many businesses around the country.

“The signing of this bill doesn’t seem like it’s a step in the direction of equality and justice and liberty for all Americans,” he said.

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The Arkansas Senate approved a similar proposal on Friday despite opposition from Wal-Mart. Another measure stalled Thursday in Georgia after opponents cited the fallout over the Indiana law.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, a Republican who opposed the law, said he would be talking to businesses and convention planners to counter the uproar the law has caused.

“I’m more concerned about making sure that everyone knows they can come in here and feel welcome,” Ballard said.

Groups such as the Indiana Chamber of Commerce have taken to social media with messages that the state is full of welcoming businesses. Democratic South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg touted on Twitter his city’s civil rights ordinance’s protections for gays and lesbians, while Republican Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke wrote that the law “sends the wrong message about Indiana.”

Stickers touting “This business serves everyone” have been appearing on business windows in many Indiana cities.

Pence said the measure was solely a limit on government restricting people’s religious liberties.

Last year, Mississippi enacted a religious objection law and hasn’t had any high-profile instances of the law being used by businesses to deny goods or services to gays.


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