The Moms for Liberty event in New York City attracted a significant turnout of protestors, including local parents and members of the LGBTQ community, on Thursday night. The gathering also saw appearances from figures like the former Representative George Santos and Andrew Giuliani, son of Rudy Giuliani.
Liberty Moms Rally in NYC
The protest in Manhattan was directed against the right-wing group’s ‘town hall,’ which aimed to foster ‘an honest conversation on the state of education,’ featuring speakers against transgender rights and proponents of school choice.
Conservative Topics Dominate Event
The majority of the discussion focused on stirring up fears about common conservative topics: transgender healthcare for minors and critical race theory. In the final 15 minutes, a few attendees got the chance to pose questions, leading to tense exchanges and visible frustration.
All Viewpoints Welcome?
The Moms for Liberty event in New York City made its intentions clear through its promotional materials. The event flier, bearing the phrase ‘all viewpoints are welcome,’ set the stage for an environment of acceptance and openness to diverse opinions—at least, as per the wording on the flier.
Key Panelists at Rally
At the Moms for Liberty event, ‘Billboard Chris,’ known for his association with the group and his travels across the continent speaking out against gender-affirming care for minors, was one of the panelists. Alongside him was Nicholas Giordano, a community college professor with a history of appearances on Fox News.
Trans-Identifying Kids
The event also welcomed supporters of ‘parents’ rights,’ such as Maud Maron from the NYC Community Education Council, who labeled trans-identifying children as ‘a social contagion.’ Wai Wah Chin from the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Greater New York, known for her role in stopping affirmative action, was another attendee.
‘Woke’ Ideology
Paul Rossi, a former private school educator dismissed for his stance against antiracism lessons and currently consulting for parents concerned about ‘woke’ ideology, was also present, according to the New York Post.
‘Love, not hate!’
Before entering Bohemian National Hall in the Upper East Side, participants had to pass through a group of demonstrators, unfazed by cold weather, chanting ‘Love, not hate!’ The scene, closely monitored by NYPD officers, also included state and city legislators and members of the Moms for Liberty opposing group, Defense of Democracy.
Trans Teacher Protests
Jo Macellaro, a 33-year-old public school teacher from the Bronx, stood determinedly near the entrance, holding a sign that declared, “I’m the trans teacher you’re so scared of.” Having experienced the impact of negative rhetoric firsthand, Macellaro knows the toll it can take.
Backlash Over Pride Month
After teaching a lesson on pride month, they were anonymously reported by a colleague to a New York City School District watchdog and have faced derogatory labels like ‘groomer’ from fellow teachers on social media.
Macellaro expressed relief at the significant turnout for the protest, affirming, Trans kids I know just want to be kids.”
Nonbinary Retiree
Jamie Bauer, 65, a nonbinary Manhattan retiree, said with a ‘Moms for Hypocrisy’ sign in hand, “What they did in Florida they are not going to do here. We’re going to protect our teachers, administrators, and librarians from these bigots.”
‘They are nasty nasty people’
Meanwhile, Diane Sabella, 75, criticized Moms for Liberty for promoting a narrow worldview, while the group’s co-founder Tina Descovich dismissed the opposition as ‘nasty.’
Tense Debate on Education Responsibility
Connie Mun, a former CEC member, publicly confronted panelist Maron over a derogatory joke about a queer student, igniting a debate on educational responsibility. The discussion quickly turned tense, with panelists like Giuliani and Love clashing with attendees over cultural education and inclusivity.
‘I was sort of shocked’
The gathering, marked by disagreements and disruptions, ended with Mun denouncing it as a “disinformation campaign,” expressing, “I was sort of shocked at the amount of hate and misinformation and that they basically talked about everything except curriculum and education.”
A Conservative Force in USA
Founded in 2021, Moms for Liberty is a conservative political organization in the United States known for its advocacy against certain educational materials and curricula in schools. Specifically, the group opposes content that includes discussions on LGBT rights, race and ethnicity, critical race theory, and discrimination. .
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