Another national grassroots movement is underway with over 46,000 patriots joining in to support “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson’s right to free speech.
“Chick-Phil-A National Support Day” is a Facebook page and event started earlier this week by Eric Odom – cofounder and managing director of LibertyNEWS.com – and others, solely “from a grassroots view” to urge support of “two of the biggest brands to have, in recent history, come under fire for sharing an opinion on personal faith-based beliefs:” Chick-fil-A and Phil Robertson.
“Join the movement to support Chick-fil-a and Phil Robertson by wearing cam/Duck Commander gear to eat at a Chick-fil-a on January 21, 2014,” the event reads, and since Monday, over 46,000 people are planning to do just that.
Odom, who was behind the launch of the of the Facebook page “Stand With Phil Robertson” that has almost 1.6 million “Likes,” and along with Grassfire.com – “a million-strong network of grassroots conservatives,” – has one of the largest petitions signed for Robertson in a week, told BizPac Review that he is more of an “activist-type, more activist minded,” and wanted to find a way for patriots to take the next step.
“In my head I was trying to address the question people who signed the petition, fanned and shared the page were asking about what action could [be taken] next,” Odom said.
After brainstorming with a few others last Saturday, Odom said the “similarities” between Phil Robertson and the controversy surrounding Chick-fil-A in 2012 came up and they recalled the success of Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on Aug. 1, 2012.
Odom launched the “Chick-Phil-A National Support Day,” Monday as a way for people to “make a unified, one day statement” of support for Robertson, Chick-fil-A and free speech, he told BizPac Review.
“There is this 900 pound gorilla or this sleeping giant out there that doesn’t like being prodded and poked and we feel like we’re being prodded and poked,” he said. “And we would rather just mind our own business and be left alone, but if you are just going to push and push and push and push, eventually your going to wake the thing up and it’s going to come out screaming. And that’s what the January 21 event is, to show undeniable support.”
You will recall in July 2012 Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy coming under fire for saying the company stands behind the “biblical definition of the family.”
According to the interview Cathy gave the Baptist Press:
Some have opposed the company’s support of the traditional family. “Well, guilty as charged,” said Cathy when asked about the company’s position.
“We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.
“We operate as a family business … our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that,” Cathy emphasized.
The ensuing backlash led to “record setting” sales as thousands of supporters showed up on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on Aug. 1, 2012.
Now, thousands are planning to line up again to support Robertson’s right to free speech after his controversial comments on homosexuality led to his indefinite suspension from A&E’s top rated show, “Duck Dynasty.”
To be clear, Odom reiterated to BizPac Review he has had no communication with Chick-fil-A and he has the following disclaimer on the Facebook page:
NOT AFFILIATED WITH CHICK-FIL-A OR PHIL ROBERTSON! This page is independent and organized from a grassroots view. There has been no communication with either brand/company and we chose to do this on our own.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
Comments are closed.