Duck Dynasty fans are planning to ‘eat mor chikin’ in protest of A&E’s suspension of show star Phil Robertson, calling their grassroots-organized event “Chick-Phil-A Day.”
On Jan. 21, camo-wearing free speech enthusiasts will gather at Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide to “Stand For Free Speech” and “Sit For Good Food,” according to the event’s Facebook page. Robertson was suspended by his show’s network, A&E, after speaking out against gay marriage in an interview with GQ magazine. Many people have claimed the suspension was a violation of Robertson’s First Amendment rights.
More than 20,000 people have liked the page since it was launched on Dec. 20, and with almost a month until the event, there’s likely to be a noticeable turnout at some store locations.
According to BizPac Review, the event was created by Eric Odom, managing editor and co-founder of LibertyNEWS.com. He told the publication he came up with the “Chick-Phil-A Day” to show support for “two of the biggest brands to have, in recent history, come under fire for sharing an opinion on personal faith-based beliefs.”
Last summer, Chick-fil-A found itself in the middle of a debate over same-sex marriage after its president, Dan Cathy, publicly supported the traditional family. Those who sided with Cathy held appreciation days for the restaurant chain, but those who opposed Cathy’s views organized LGBT protests at various store locations.
Odom told the Review that the event was launched after supporters of his wildly successful “Stand with Phil Robertson” page asked what else they could do.
The event, however, is “not sponsored by or affiliated with” the restaurant chain, a Chick-fil-A spokeswoman stressed in an email to Red Alert Politics. She did not provide any additional comment.
(h/t BizPac Review)
