Photos: Moms for Liberty summit descends on Philadelphia

Here's a look at the scene in Philly, in photos.

By

WHYY staff

Updated Jul. 1, 2023 5:35 pm

Protesters brought signs to a Thursday action decrying this weekend's Moms For Liberty Summit in Philadelphia. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

All this weekend, the conservative political group Moms for Liberty is hosting its national summit in Philadelphia.

As Moms for Liberty members converge from across the country, hundreds are protesting the summit, which has attracted Republican presidential hopefuls like former President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis.

WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WHYY (@whyy)

Here’s what you need to know about the gathering, and here’s how the city is responding.

And here’s a look at the scene in Philly, in photos.

A protest sign reads ''I read banned books'' — The Indivisible group joined the dance party protest against Moms for Liberty outside the Marriott Hotel on June 30, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Sam Rise speaks into a mic at a protest against Moms for Liberty in Philly — Activist Sam Rise lead the ACT UP Philly dance party protest outside the M4L event at the Marriott Hotel at 12th and Filbert streets in Philadelphia on June 30, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Andrew Saltz stands with a sign that reads ''Let queer youth live'' — Andrew Saltz, a teacher at Paul Robeson school, said he joined the protest outside the Mom for Liberty summit on June 30, 2023 because he wants to make sure every kid feels safe and loved. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Eugene Carrington poses for a photo while wearing a shirt that says, ''Get woke'' — Eugene Carrington said he joined the ACT UP Philly dance party protest outside the M4L event at the Marriott Hotel at 12th and Filbert Streets in Philadelphia to let the group know that they are not welcome in the city on June 30, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Sam Rise leads a dance party while protesting Moms for Liberty in Philly — Activist Sam Rise lead the ACT UP Philly dance party protest outside the M4L event at the Marriott Hotel at 12th and Filbert streets in Philadelphia on June 30, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Jackie Ellenberger holds up a sign outside the Moms for Liberty summit that reads, ''Klan Kookie Karens go home'' — Jackie Ellenberger came from Hershey, Pa., to protest the Moms For Liberty summit outside Philadelphia’s Marriott Hotel on June 30, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

A person wearing a mask protests the Moms for Liberty summit while holding a stop sign-shaped sign that says, ''Stop book bans'' — The Indivisible group joined the dance party protest against Moms For Liberty outside the Marriott Hotel on June 30, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Protesters are seen with signs outside the Moms for Liberty summit in Philadelphia, one one that reads ''Klanned Karenhood' — LaTarndra Strong (right) came to Philadelphia to protest outside the Moms For Liberty summit at the Marriott Hotel on June 30, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Kim Kim (left) and CC Tellez (right) participate in a protest against Moms for Liberty. Both carry signs that read — Kim Kim (left) and CC Tellez said Moms For Liberty do not care about the youth. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

Harper Farr poses for a photo. — Harper Farr came to Philadelphia more than a year ago to escape the anti-trans legislation in Tennessee. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

A person with a flowing cape walks by police. — Police barricaded 3rd Street to allow for the flow of traffic while protesters jeered at people entering the Moms For Liberty Welcome Reception at the Museum of the American Revolution. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

A person standing next to police officers holds up a sign that reads Defend Trans Youth, Preserve Black History — Police barricaded 3rd Street to allow for the flow of traffic while protesters jeered at people entering the Moms For Liberty Welcome Reception at the Museum of the American Revolution. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

Robert Perry holds up a sign that reads — Tattooed Mom owner Robert Perry called the Moms For Liberty Summit "a slap in the face to the people who fought and died for liberty in this country." (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

A person holds up a sign that reads — Hundreds protested outside of the Museum of the American Revolution where the Moms For Liberty Welcome Reception took place on June 29, 2023. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

A person dressed in a Spiderman suit holds a flag with black and white stripes and a rainbow triange at a protest. — A person dressed as Spider-Man protests the Moms For Liberty Summit during the final weekend of Pride month. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

A person holds a sign that reads — Hundreds protested outside of the Museum of the American Revolution where the Moms For Liberty Welcome Reception took place on June 29, 2023. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

A sign reads — Protesters brought signs voicing their opinions on this weekend's Moms For Liberty Summit in Philadelphia. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

A sign reads — Protesters brought signs voicing their opinions on this weekend's Moms For Liberty Summit in Philadelphia. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

People hold up signs in protest of Moms for Liberty. — Protesters brought signs voicing their opinions on this weekend's Moms For Liberty Summit in Philadelphia. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

People dance together in a crowd. — The protest quickly turned into a dance party as hundreds voiced their support for the LGBTQ+ community outside the Museum of the American Revolution. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

Protesters on the street — Demonstrators gather outside the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Protesters on the street — Demonstrators gather outside the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)

Protester on the street holding a sign that says 'Banning Books is UnAmerican' — Demonstrators gather outside the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)

Protest signs outside the Moms for Liberty Summit say ''LGBTQIA+ kids: You are not alone,'' and list the crisis hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, the Trevor Project, at 1-866-488-7386 — Demonstrators and law enforcement gather outside the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Ron DeSantis speaking at a podium at the Moms For Liberty conference — Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Trump speaks at a podium with a placard that reads Moms for Liberty. Behind him are U.S. flags. — Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Trump stands onstage. — Former President Donald Trump stands on stage during the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, Friday, June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Bucks County residents Ellen Lesh (left), Kira Kraiman (center) and Amy Mcgahran (right) hold signs supporting LGBTQ students. — Bucks County residents Ellen Lesh (left), Kira Kraiman (center) and Amy Mcgahran (right) came to Philadelphia to protest the Moms For Liberty national summit on July 1, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy smiles as he speaks with people. — Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy takes photos with Moms For Liberty national summit attendees on July 1, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Books for sale on a table with titles including, — Books for sale at the Moms For Liberty national summit on July 1, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Jamiee Michell speaks onstage at the Moms for Liberty conference. — Jamiee Michell, founder of Gays against Groomers, spoke at the Moms for Liberty national summit in Philadelphia on July 1, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

Protesters hold banners that are rainbow-colored with the word — Protests continued in Philadelphia on day three of the Moms For Liberty national summit, July 1, 2023. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

About WHYY staff

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal

Learn about WHYY Member benefits