A grassroots parental rights organization, Moms for Liberty, was denied an application to set up a booth at the Tanana Valley State Fair in Fairbanks, Alaska, after being accused of being an ‘extremist group’ by a local activist citing a far-left organization.

Background

Moms for Liberty, a national conservative group, is known for challenging public school library books and curricula they deem inappropriate for minors. The Fairbanks chapter, run by Gail McBride, applied for a single-day table at the annual gathering to promote their mission of defending parental rights.

However, the fair’s board of directors rejected their application, citing concerns about the group’s ‘decorum’ and potential disruption to the event. The decision was made after a former fair employee, David Leslie, addressed the board and claimed that Moms for Liberty is an ‘anti-government, extremist hate group,’ pointing to its designation by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

Moms for Liberty President Tiffany Justice told Fox News Digital that the organization is ‘exploring legal actions’ after being rejected to participate in the fair. Justice also noted that the SPLC is used by government entities to identify ‘hate groups’ and that the incident in Alaska is not the first time the organization has faced similar issues.

Response

Scott Vance, the executive director of the Tanana Valley State Fair Association, stated that the fair reserves the right to deny any application at its sole discretion. Vance claimed that the reputation of the overall organization and actions of the local associates do not align with the fair’s mission to provide a welcoming, family-oriented environment.

The Southern Poverty Law Center did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment. The incident has sparked controversy, with some arguing that the fair’s decision is an attempt to silence conservative voices and stifle free speech.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.