- Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity hosted a children's storytime hour sponsored by the Northampton chapter of the conservative group Moms for Liberty
- Protesters came to the event because the organization has advocated for removing certain books from school libraries
- A press release from the library said the event was not sponsored or endorsed by the library
NAZARETH, Pa. — A group of about 25 protestors stood outside of the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity in the rain Saturday morning.
They came because inside the library, there was a children's storytime hour by local author Rebecca Price Janney.
It was sponsored by the Northampton chapter of the conservative group Moms for Liberty, which has advocated for removing certain books from school libraries.
“It's crazy that we would even think for a minute that this is an appropriate pairing with a library to have them here,” said April Gabriel-Ferretti, administrator of the Facebook page Northampton County Pa Stop Moms for Liberty and founder of LGBTQ rights group Nazareth Together.
“[Moms for Liberty] has met all the criteria for use of meeting space. To deny them access could have a chilling effect on organizations.”Press release from Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity
A press release from the library said the event was not sponsored or endorsed by the library. The library allows any nonprofit organizations to use the meeting rooms as long as they follow the library’s policies and procedures, the release said.
“We cannot deny use of space to any organization because we or members of the public may disagree with those ideas or positions,” the release read.
“[Moms for Liberty] has met all the criteria for use of meeting space. To deny them access could have a chilling effect on organizations.”
What is Moms for Liberty?
Moms for Liberty is a national conservative group founded in Florida in 2021, following anger over schools’ handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is “dedicated to fighting for the survival of America by unifying, educating and empowering parents to defend their parental rights at all levels of government,” according to its website.
It was described as "extremist" earlier this year by the civil rights group the Southern Poverty Law Center because it advocates for removing library books and classroom material on Black history and LGBTQ+ topics.
Members of the Northampton County chapter have called for some books in the Nazareth Area School District to be restricted or removed, saying the books contained sexually explicit content — including Push by Sapphire, Sold by Patricia McCormick and Crank by Ellen Hopkins.
Gabriel-Ferretti said she did not feel those books should be removed from schools because parents have the right to sign a form that states that their children are not permitted to take out certain books.
“We're not looking to take that right away from people, nor should they be looking to take away the rights from other parents who might feel differently,” Gabriel-Ferretti said. “Everybody deserves to make decisions according to what's best for their children and their family.”
Representatives from Moms for Liberty Northampton County did not respond to a request for an interview at the event.
Library board member James Cunningham gave a handout outlining basic facts about the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights to members of the press on behalf of the group.
Ronald Cozzi is one of several people who stood outside the library and watched the protest.
Cozzi said thinks Moms for Liberty Northampton County is not advocating for book bans, like some protesters said, but rather is advocating to remove books from schools that should not be there.
"This isn't about banning books and burning books. It's about propaganda," Cozzi said.
The event
During the event, Price Janney taught children ages seven to 12 about the creation of the U.S. Constitution from Martha Washington's perspective while wearing a period costume. About 30 people attended.
Price Janney said in an interview after the event that she writes and speaks about American history and has published 26 books for adults and children, including her series on Easton.
Price Janney said she is not a member of Moms for Liberty and that they reached out to her for the event. But she agrees with the group's efforts to remove “pornographic” books from school libraries.
“I’ve seen the content available in the schools. It’s not something I would allow in,” Price Janney said.
Gabriel-Ferretti said she thought the library should have prevented the group from having the event at the library.
“We want the library to change their policies to keep extremist hate groups out,” Gabriel-Ferretti said.
Moms for Liberty Northampton County released a statement on its Facebook page about the event, saying it was in line with the organization’s mission to empower parents.
“It is ironic that a group of agitators want to keep American parents from teaching their children about the constitution, the very document which protects our God-given right to assemble and speak freely,” the statement read.
“If it's uncontested — the message being given in there — then it gives the illusion that all of Nazareth believes that bulls*** that's happening in there. That’s not true."Protester Mary Stockman-Smith
Protester Mary Stockman-Smith said she worried Moms for Liberty Northampton County was using the event to “draw the kids in only to then push their agenda” to kids and parents about what books should and should not be read.
Stockman-Smith said she personally did not want to prevent the group from hosting the event, but she came to the protest to show that not everyone in the borough agrees with their values.
“If it's uncontested — the message being given in there — then it gives the illusion that all of Nazareth believes that bulls*** that's happening in there. That’s not true,” Stockman-Smith said.
Education Reporter Sarah Mueller contributed to this report.
