Willingness to laud group was appalling

As president of Illinois National Organization for Women and a resident of Will County, I am appalled that some members of the Will County Board had plans to recognize a group, Moms for America, a group that is part of the nationwide assault on America's LGBTQ community, Black Americans and children.

Thanks to a large outcry, the group will no longer be "officially" lauded. However, their board supporters will probably still show support. More heinous is that the planned recognition of Pride Month and Juneteenth, which commemorates the day when the last enslaved people learned they were free and is a national holiday, has been canceled as well. Retribution?

Moms and Awake groups are responsible for book bans, hate speech at school boards and attacks on our public libraries and schools. They believe they alone are the arbiters of morality. They often align with white supremist groups such as Patriot Front and Proud Boys, groups seen at Pride events, racist rallies and screaming "Jews will not replace us." In fact, their use of the term Marxist is highly antisemitic.

They fight the teaching of racism and complain that white children will be harmed, telling Black children that their history is irrelevant. They call supporters of LGBTQ youth "groomer" and "pedophile." Young folks at Pride events fear their parents will kick them out if they are LGBTQ. These young people often end up in cities where they become victims of drug dealers and sex traffickers. Many often self-harm or commit suicide according to LGBTQ support organizations.

Neither Moms for America nor any of these similar groups should be celebrated. I am disgusted that some members of the Will County Board would laud a group that harms many in our communities while refusing to celebrate those that provide support.

Laura Welch, President

Illinois NOW

Naperville