Moms for Liberty Dismisses Two Kentucky Leaders Linked to Proud Boys

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Moms for Liberty has announced the dismissal of two Kentucky chapter leaders following their appearance in photographs with Proud Boys members. This incident is one of multiple challenges faced by the conservative nonprofit, which advocates for “parental rights” and has gained notable attention in the realm of public education.

The leaders from Boone and Campbell counties, located near the Ohio border, were captured in images with Proud Boys members, identifiable by their distinct yellow and black attire, at a rally on November 4th in Frankfort, Kentucky’s capital. These images, shared on Facebook, depict the women in Moms for Liberty apparel, with one assisting in displaying a flag labeled “Appalachian Proud Boys Kentucky.”

The national body of Moms for Liberty explained the removal of these chapter chairs, citing their actions as contrary to the organization’s fundamental principles. They emphasized in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, that their organization has no association with the Proud Boys and condemns any form of hate or violence. They also stressed their commitment to not letting the actions of a minority overshadow the group’s broader mission.

Since its inception in 2021, Moms for Liberty has risen in prominence, facing significant opposition for its push to elect conservative school board members and its stance on race and LGBTQ+ topics in U.S. classrooms.

Controversies have not been uncommon for the group. Earlier this year, its Indiana chapter faced backlash for using a quote attributed to Adolf Hitler in its newsletter, which they later retracted and denounced. Additionally, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) labeled Moms for Liberty as an anti-government extremist group, a claim the organization disputes. The SPLC argues the group uses parental rights to undermine public education and create unwelcoming environments for minority and LGBTQ+ students.

In recent school board elections, a substantial number of liberal and moderate candidates triumphed over conservative ones, with about 40% of Moms for Liberty-endorsed candidates winning their races.

The SPLC identifies the Proud Boys as a hate group, citing their white nationalist ideology, involvement in violent acts, and participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Approximately 60 Proud Boys members face federal charges linked to the Capitol assault, aimed at obstructing Joe Biden’s election certification. Notably, former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio received a 22-year sentence for his role in a seditious conspiracy to maintain Trump’s presidency post-defeat.

In the controversial Facebook photos, a former Boone County Moms for Liberty chair is seen making the “OK” gesture, which the Anti-Defamation League notes is sometimes associated with white supremacist or anti-government extremist ideologies.

In response to this incident, Moms for Liberty has pledged to adhere to its existing policies in appointing new chapter leaders. The organization did not comment on the future membership status of the dismissed leaders, who have been removed from the chapter websites. The former Campbell County chair declined to comment, and the Boone County chair did not respond to inquiries.

This report includes contributions from Michael Kunzelman of Big Big News, based in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Big Big News is supported by private foundations to bolster its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. The AP maintains full editorial independence in its content production.

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• Moms for Liberty removes two Kentucky chapter leaders
• Southern Poverty Law Center’s designation of Moms for Liberty
• Information about the Proud Boys