A grassroots parental rights group, Moms for Liberty, was recently barred from the Tanana Valley State Fair in Alaska. They faced accusations of being a ‘hate group’ by a local activist citing a left-leaning watchdog organization.
Moms for Liberty, a known conservative group challenging public school content they find inappropriate, was denied a booth application at Fairbanks’ oldest state fair. Tiffany Justice, the group’s president, said, ‘Defending parental rights is not extremist.’
The Fairbanks chapter led by Gail McBride received a rejection notice from the fair board on April 27. McBride expressed her concerns over the attempt to ‘cancel conservatives.’
Scott Vance, executive director of the Tanana Valley State Fair Association, stated that past behavior of local chapter members lacked decorum at meetings and affected the decision. He emphasized that the fair aims to maintain a welcoming environment.
The conservative group aimed to promote their mission of defending parental rights at this community event known for family-centered activities. McBride attended a fair board meeting to address misinformation about their group. However, former fair employee David Leslie opposed their involvement, labeling them as an ‘anti-government, extremist hate group,’ referencing the Southern Poverty Law Center’s (SPLC) designation.
Leslie alleged that the group targets LGBT people and described this as dangerous. This aligns with the SPLC’s report labeling Moms for Liberty as extremist. Leslie criticized the fair board for canceling a local drag performance and urged the board to prevent Moms for Liberty from future board roles.
Following the meeting, the board rejected the chapter’s application officially without explaining reasons publicly. McBride was surprised by the rejection and argued it didn’t reflect the community’s values. She criticized the board’s reliance on the SPLC, citing the organization’s legal issues.
Justice mentioned exploring legal action against the fair’s decision and noted similar issues in Williamson County, Texas. Vance reiterated that the fair welcomes all but must align with its mission. Decisions on vendor applications rest with the fair’s executive director.
The Southern Poverty Law Center did not respond to requests for comment. Joshua Q. Nelson, a reporter focusing on cultural trends and public policy, contributed to this story.