Several speakers addressed M4L tactics of going after school boards’ COVID-19 policies, promoting bullying against LGBTQ+ youth and banning books that teach the history of racism in the U.S., so “their children don’t feel bad learning about the evils of white supremacy.”

As M4L held its opening reception at the Museum of the American Revolution at 3rd and Chestnut Streets later that day, hundreds of boisterous demonstrators were there to heckle participants with chants of “Shame” and “No Moms for Fascism in Philly!” Queer anthems including Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” were blasted from a sound truck.

[…]

When the M4L convention opened at the Marriott Downtown Philadelphia on June 30, protests began at 9:00 a.m., when it started, and continued through the closing on July 2. There were day-long dance parties, with activists jeering M4L delegates whenever they appeared. From young children to gray-haired activists of every race and religion, people gathered outside the Marriott to demonstrate their opposition to the [neo]fascists inside.

Five protesters were arrested on July 2 after blocking 12th Street traffic. After the arrests, Philadelphia cops in stormtrooper uniforms confronted and kettled the crowd. Another individual was later brutally thrown to the ground and arrested for waving a Pride flag over a barricade set up outside the Marriott.

The events, organized by ACT UP Philadelphia and the Coalition to Oppose Hate, were endorsed by over 50 organizations and attracted participants from as far away as North Carolina and Oklahoma.