Moms for Liberty distribute books about LGBTQ+ topics to protesters.

Protests Erupt in Philadelphia Against Moms for Liberty Summit

The city of Philadelphia was set ablaze with fiery protests on Thursday as multiple groups rallied against the three-day summit organized by the conservative and politically influential group Moms for Liberty.

Over the next three days, at least nine protests have been planned by various organizations including the National Parents Union, ACT UP Philadelphia, Invisible Philadelphia, and the Young Communist League.

At the first event, held in front of the Marriott hotel where the summit is taking place, protesters made their voices heard with eye-catching signs and distributed banned books. A large black truck with an electronic billboard circled the hotel, displaying the message: “Stop extremists and stop Moms for Liberty.” Homemade signs carried by protesters read: “Moms 4 Liberty is destroying my school district” and “Must stop the bullies.”

Advocating for Access and Inclusion in Education

Heather Harding, executive director for the Campaign of Our Shared Future, a non-partisan initiative, expressed concerns about the banning of books by Moms for Liberty. She emphasized the negative impact of these bans on the curriculum, stating that they limit representation for families. Characters of color, authors of color, LGBTQ characters, and books addressing these topics are being removed from shelves.

According to Harding, parents want a comprehensive understanding of the country’s history, and it is crucial to put an end to this unnecessary censorship.

The books distributed during the protest included “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo,” a satirical book by comedian John Oliver that portrays the family pet bunny as gay and marrying another male bunny. Other books handed out were “Maus,” a Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel depicting the Holocaust, and “Call Me Max,” a book about a transgender boy’s experiences in elementary school.

Deborah Gordon Klehr, executive director of the Education Law Center of Pennsylvania, voiced her concerns about the rights of transgender children being trampled upon. She emphasized the importance of supporting all students and protecting the rights of LGBTQ youth.

Historians Speak Out Against the Museum of the American Revolution

In addition to the protests, several scholarly groups, including the country’s largest associations of professional historians, have criticized the Museum of the American Revolution for hosting a welcome event for Moms for Liberty. These historians argue that the museum’s decision normalizes an organization that seeks to rewrite history, ban books, and hinder discussions on race and gender in classrooms.

The American Historical Society stated that Moms for Liberty has advocated for censorship, harassed history teachers, and pushed for legislation that restricts historians from teaching with integrity. They believe that the organization has crossed a line by attempting to silence and intimidate teachers.

The Moms for Liberty event at the museum will feature a speech by Tim Barton, president of WallBuilders, a pro-family organization focused on America’s religious and constitutional heritage. The Bartons and their group have been criticized for their views on LGBTQ individuals and their denial of the separation of church and state.

Championing Parental Rights

Moms for Liberty has defended its mission, stating that it is not rooted in exclusion or racism but rather advocates for parental rights. Co-founder Tiffany Justice emphasized that the national summit in Philadelphia aims to empower parents to be more involved in their child’s education and to protect their rights to speak up on behalf of their children.

As the protests continue and tensions rise, the battle between Moms for Liberty and its opponents over education, inclusivity, and the freedom to discuss important topics in classrooms shows no signs of abating.

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