Only 100 demonstrators show up as Philadelphia Moms for Liberty protests fail to gain momentum.

Massive Protests in Philadelphia Fall Short of Expectations

PHILADELPHIA — The highly anticipated protests against the Moms for Liberty summit in Philadelphia did not live up to the hype on Friday, as the crowds dwindled before the end of Day Two.

Several organizations, including ACT UP Philadelphia, Defense of Democracy, National Parents Union, and the Young Communist League, had planned rallies and “dance party protests” outside the downtown Marriott Hotel, where the conservative mother group was hosting its four-day conference. These organizations distributed banned books, played loud music, and heckled conference attendees.

One participant who made the mistake of wearing her ID badge was screamed at and told to “read the room” when she stepped outside.

Despite the initial buzz, only around 100 people showed up on Friday afternoon when former President Donald Trump, one of the five Republican presidential hopefuls speaking at the conference, arrived to present his platform.

The protesters not only hurled insults at Trump’s motorcade but also directed their anger towards some of the Philadelphia police officers responsible for maintaining peace.

Some protesters carried homemade signs with messages like “Mom’s 4 Bigotry,” “American Taliban,” and “We Do Not Co-Parent With Domestic Terrorists.”

While there were a few tense moments, the gathered crowd remained peaceful. As one protester told the Washington Examiner, they chose to “dance it out.” Others chanted phrases like “Not in our city,” “Get out,” and “This is what bigotry looks like.”

The Rise and Controversy of Moms for Liberty

Moms for Liberty, founded in 2021 by Tiffany Justice, Tina Desccovich, and Bridget Ziegler, has experienced a rapid and controversial ascent since its inception less than three years ago. The group claims to be staunch supporters of parental rights, but critics argue that their agenda is causing irreparable harm to the LGBT community.

The founders of Moms for Liberty are all current or former school board members in Florida who opposed student mask and quarantine policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. In just two years, they have transformed their nonprofit organization into one of the most influential conservative groups, boasting over 120,000 active members in 285 chapters across 45 states.

Protesters Travis and Kristna Culver, who are also Sunday school teachers, traveled over two hours from Berwick, Pennsylvania, to join the demonstrations. They emphasized the importance of standing up for their children, including one who identifies as nonbinary.

“We want to keep our schools safe for our 10-year-old, and I don’t want them to tell them that their sibling shouldn’t exist,” Travis Culver said. “I want them to learn that there are all kinds of people in the world who are accepting and loving of everyone.”

Kristina Culver, a social worker, shared her concern for the well-being of LGBTQ children, stating that she encounters kids “every day who are thinking about hurting themselves.” She added, “Having a nonbinary kid, I don’t want there ever to be a reason for them wanting to hurt themselves.”

ACT UP Philadelphia and the Young Communist League have planned an all-day dance party protest on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additionally, the Philly Childhood Collective will host a child-centric dance party on Saturday, where children can read banned books and create protest signs.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases