A petition opposing the Fight Laugh Feast Conference at The Factory at Franklin has surpassed 1,400 signatures as protests are planned for Saturday, Oct. 3.
The conference, themed "Holy Wars: Just War, the Crusades, and the Christian Life," is scheduled to run Thursday, Oct. 1, through Saturday, Oct. 3, at 230 Franklin Road. Main sessions take place Friday, Oct. 2, and Saturday, Oct. 3, according to Williamson Source. Petition supporters have said they plan to boycott The Factory on Oct. 3 if the conference proceeds.
Among the scheduled speakers is Doug Wilson, an Idaho-based pastor who co-founded the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). Wilson has publicly advocated for repealing the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, according to the Tennessean. He is slated to deliver a talk titled "Unholy Wars: Slavery, Jews, and Your Mouth."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth invited Wilson to lead a worship service at the Pentagon in February, the Tennessean reported, citing the Washington Post.
The Change.org petition, titled "Stop Hate Speech @ Factory at Franklin," was created Thursday, Sept. 24. It argues that Wilson's views do not represent Franklin's values of inclusion and equality.
Separately, Antifascist 615, a Nashville-based activist group, is planning a sidewalk protest at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 outside The Factory, the Tennessean reported.
Factory owner Allen Arender said in a statement Monday, Sept. 28, that the venue takes community concerns seriously but will honor its contract. The Factory rents its venues for legal uses without regard to an organization's religion, political philosophy or beliefs, Arender said. The venue is coordinating with organizers to provide additional security and Franklin Police Department presence during the event.
Saffire Restaurant, located inside The Factory, said in a social media statement Monday, Sept. 28, that it accepted what it believed was a routine reservation months ago from a Gmail address for a "business luncheon." The restaurant was not initially told the booking was tied to the conference.
Saffire said it learned the details from a concerned neighbor. The restaurant, which describes itself as female-owned and operated, said it found statements associated with the event's speaker "deeply troubling," citing statements defending slavery, advocacy to repeal the 19th Amendment and calls to criminalize the LGBTQ community. An attorney advised the restaurant it is contractually obligated to honor the booking.
The response was direct. Saffire announced it will donate proceeds from the service to World Central Kitchen, an organization that provides meals to communities affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises.
The Factory at Franklin is home to more than 40 businesses, including Studio Tenn Theatre Company, Slim & Husky's and the Carousel of Dreams, according to Williamson Scene.
The conference opens Thursday, Oct. 1. The planned boycott and protest are set for Saturday, Oct. 3.
