New Hampshire Democrat state Rep. Catherine Sofitikis (D-Nashua) took to Twitter Sunday to attack members of the pro-parents-rights “Moms for Liberty” organization as “a**holes” and to compare them to the Taliban. She responded to the online backlash by forwarding a video in which the members of Moms For Liberty were labeled “Momzis,” a play on the word “Nazi.”
Sofitikis joins a growing list of Granite State Democrats who have used insulting or demeaning language about parents, even as polling shows strong support for parents rights’ policies.
In response to a Tweet asking, “Moms for Liberty: Yay or Nay,” Sofikitis replied. “A**holes with casseroles, taliban in minivan.”
When supporters of Moms For Liberty began responding on the social media platform, Sofitikis doubled down, tweeting a video by a far-left activist attacking the women’s organization as “momzis who seem to have an affinity for authoritarianism and extremist groups.”
Moms For Liberty supports the rights of parents to have the final say over their children’s educations in public schools. They oppose policies like those in the Manchester Public Schools that allow teachers and administrators to lie to parents about their children’s behavior at school regarding sex and gender.
Asked about Sokitikis’ comments, a co-founder of Moms for Liberty told NHJournal it is time for elected officials to stop “demonizing parents.”
“Moms for Liberty members are joyful warriors that are standing up to reclaim the failing education system across America,” said former Florida school board member Tina Descovich. “I would hope all elected officials would choose to work with parents to ensure a brighter future for all children instead of demonizing parents.”
NHGOP chairman Chris Ager called Sofikitis’ comments “disgusting.”
“The saddest part is that they seem to reflect the Democrat Party’s disdain for parents who dare to get involved with their children’s education,” he added.
Sofitikis did not respond to multiple requests for comment. However, her attacks on parents match a pattern by her fellow Granite State Democrats.
When a voter sent Campton Democratic state Rep. Tommy Hoyt an email during the debate over parents’ rights legislation in May urging him to support it, Hoyt responded by telling the voter to, “Let the teachers teach, and shut up. You’re clearly no professional.”
During that same debate, state Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D-Portsmouth) said the legislation “opens these children up to a litany of dangers, including hostility, rejection, isolation, and even violence from their parents.”
And state Sen. Donovan Fenton (D-Keene) added, “Legislation like SB 272 can, and will, cause serious, irreparable harm to LGBTQ+ youth, the harm that can end up being fatal for our young citizens.”
If the word “fatal” sounds extreme, Fenton was simply echoing Democratic state party chair Ray Buckley, who has repeatedly said informing parents about sex or gender behavior at school would result in “some kids getting beaten to death.”
New Hampshire Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut, a possible GOP contender for governor next year, said parents have a tough job and deserve respect.
“Everyone knows that parenting is the hardest job in the world. Policymakers should be doing everything they can to support them.”
