Historians Criticize Mothers for Liberty Event at Museum in Philadelphia

In an interview, the museum’s president and chief executive, R. Scott Stephenson, called the museum, which opened in 2017, a place where people of “very broad political differences” can participate in “an exploration of American history that embraces diversity.” and embraces inclusion”. , but also gives people space to feel gratitude and pride in the nation and hope for the future.”

“Man, I think we need more, not less,” he said.

Moms for Liberty has taken issue with negative characterizations of the group, which the Southern Poverty Law Center recently labeled “extremist.”

In a statement to The New York Times, the organization’s co-founders Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich said, “We expect our national summit in Philadelphia to be a time of training and empowerment for parents to be more active in the school system of their child. . We stand up for the rights of parents and against anyone who tries to silence parents who want to stand up for their child’s needs.”

In recent years, historians have become increasingly involved in escalating political strife over the teachings of American history, turning the date “1776” itself into a partisan rallying cry. Scientific groups have mobilized against the rapid proliferation of so-called “divisive draft” laws restricting race and gender education, which have been passed or proposed in at least three dozen states.

Founded in 2021, Moms for Liberty originally focused on resistance to pandemic-era restrictions in schools, but has since expanded to support the right of parents to ban books they deem inappropriate from classrooms and school libraries. The group has also become a force in Republican politics – several presidential candidates are among the scheduled speakers at the summit.

The Museum of the American Revolution isn’t the first institution to be ablaze for renting to groups or figures deemed inconsistent with its mission. In 2019, the annual gala of the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce was moved from the American Museum of Natural History after news that the group was honoring Jair Bolsonaro, then Brazilian president, caused an uproar.