Rabb condemns hate organizations rallying in Philadelphia
Rep. Christopher M. Rabb June 30, 2023 | 9:47 AM
PHILADELPHIA, June 30 – State Rep. Chris Rabb, D-Phila, issued the following statement in response to Moms for Liberty, a hate group with local chapters in Pennsylvania, holding its national convention in Philadelphia today.
“A group with hateful views such as Moms for Liberty has no place spewing their hatred and extremist ideology in Philadelphia — the vaunted birthplace of liberty in our nation,” Rabb said. “As a parent, it galls me that there is a concerted effort to deprive children across the commonwealth of learning opportunities and the freedom to see themselves in books and curricula in their schools.
“These groups are not motivated by a desire to protect children from age-inappropriate material. That’s merely the thin veil they hide behind. No, they are motivated by a bigoted desire to harm LGBTQ+ youth and students of color by fomenting hatred against their very personhood by deeming their existence to be wrong and unnatural and thus should not be present in books and media.
“Groups like Moms for Liberty are exactly why bills like Rabb's anti-book ban bill H.B.1374, establishing procedures to protect public school students’ right to read and learn, are so important and it is imperative that we pass them into law. Our children deserve to see themselves represented in the media and in books. It validates their experiences and shows them that they are beautiful and not alone in the struggles they may face.
“I stand with Philadelphians and Pennsylvanians cross the state in condemning Moms for Liberty and similar groups that seek to escalate attacks on racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights.”