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 did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment. But in an earlier statement to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the group’s co-founders, Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich, took issue with the group’s negative characterizations, which the Southern Poverty Law Center recently labeled as “extremist.”
“Calling parents who want to be part of their child’s education as ‘hate groups’ or ‘bigorous’ only shows what this battle is all about,” they said.
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.