Moms for Liberty Emerges as Key GOP Political Force by Targeting Schools on Issues of Gender and Race

Moms for Liberty, a Florida-based nonprofit that advocates for “parental rights” in education, has become a significant player in the Republican Party’s fight for the nomination in the 2024 presidential election. The group has rapidly expanded since its founding in 2021, with 285 chapters across 44 states and 120,000 active members. It has also attracted the attention of conservative political operatives, politicians, and donors, who have helped it become a major force in the fight against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in schools.

Moms for Liberty has been at the forefront of the conservative movement targeting books that reference race and gender identity and electing right-wing candidates to local school boards nationwide. It has also sought to ban instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, require teachers to disclose students’ pronouns to parents, and remove diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from schools.

The group’s annual summit, to be held in Philadelphia later this month, has attracted at least four potential Republican presidential primary contenders: former President Donald Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, and anti-woke activist Vivek Ramaswamy. The group claims to be nonpartisan, but its close ties to Republican organizations, donors, and politicians have raised questions about its grassroots nature.

The group has gained a close ally in DeSantis, who signed Florida’s “Parents Bill of Rights” in 2021, identifying parents’ rights to direct their children’s education and healthcare. The bill was used to fight local student mask mandates. In 2022, DeSantis signed a law banning instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade, a ban that has since been extended through 12th grade. Moms for Liberty had loudly advocated both pieces of legislation.

Researchers say that Moms for Liberty is part of a new wave of far-right anti-student inclusion efforts around the country. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate and extremism, designated Moms for Liberty as an “anti-government extremist” group in its annual report released last week. The label comes after some of the group’s leaders and chapter chairs have been accused of harassing community members and amplifying false claims related to gender controversies.

A growing coalition of local organizations that promote inclusivity in education has begun to mobilize against Moms for Liberty and is petitioning Marriott to stop the upcoming conference. Defense of Democracy, a New York organization founded in direct opposition to Moms for Liberty, plans to bring members to Philadelphia to protest in person.

Moms for Liberty has responded by increasing security for its meeting. Marriott has not responded to the petition, and the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “extremist” designation has not deterred any Republican candidate who plans to speak. Haley responded by tweeting, “If @Moms4Liberty is a ‘hate group,’ add me to the list.” Ramaswamy went onstage for a Thursday town hall with Justice and tweeted that SPLC stands for “Selling Political Lies to Corporations.”

Despite the backlash, Moms for Liberty has become a significant force in the Republican Party’s fight for the nomination in the 2024 presidential election. Its growing membership and close ties to powerful Republican donors, operatives, and politicians make it a powerful advocate for conservative values in education and beyond.

Original Story at apnews.com – 2023-06-12 04:15:50