Headlined as a parental rights demonstration, a State House rally drew avowed conservatives and parents to speak passionately about their mission. They want to wrest control away from government agencies that set education and health standards — everything from vaccination schedules to the new sexual education curriculum. “The sexual exploitation of your children is right here in black and white — done by your state Board of Education by Phil and Tammy Murphy!” said Greg Quinlan, president of the Center for Garden State Families.
Speakers opposed bills promoting gender-affirming health care for kids from other states. They called for absolute school choice — so parents could refuse to pay for public school. “That money does belong to you. You are the stewards of that money,” Quinlan continued. “And when the people elected to the legislator refuse to do that — you need to take them out! And I don’t mean to dinner. Retire them. Vote them out!”
The rally featured several conservative media stars, including two Roxbury moms who’re being sued by their school librarian for alleged defamation in a battle over book banning. Over and over again, speakers pointed to the ballot box. “The schools belong to us. We need to fix the school boards. We need to fix who is making these decisions,” said Sherry Nardolillo of Moms For Liberty in Morris County.
The agenda is designed to help promote grassroots political activism, but it also helps Republican candidates facing a June primary to burnish their conservative credentials. “And there are about four Republican primaries now, out of our 40 districts, where conservatives are trying to beat out more moderate Republicans for nominations. So part of the calculation here is, let’s rile people up and get them energized and enthused,” said Micah Rasmussen, director of the Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics.
