Moms for Liberty, a conservative group advocating parental rights in the United States, focuses on eliminating LGBTQ-related topics in public schools, partly due to beliefs about “grooming” children. However, recent reports by The Philadelphia Inquirer highlight internal concerns: Phillip Fisher Jr., a key figure in the group’s Philadelphia chapter, is a registered sex offender.
In 2012, Fisher, then 25, was convicted of aggravated sexual abuse of a 14-year-old boy. He pled guilty to having anal and oral sex with the child but later described his conviction as a “railroad job” related to political conflicts with Lyndon LaRouche, a former presidential candidate whose organization he was involved with.
Until recently, Fisher held a significant political role as the leader of Philadelphia’s 42nd Ward and was active in Republican politics, supporting Trump in 2020 and campaigning with Mehmet Oz in 2022. His criminal history led to his resignation on the demand of Vince Fenerty, chair of Philadelphia’s Republican City Committee.
Fisher’s involvement with Moms for Liberty as a faith coordinator raises questions about the group’s internal vetting processes. The organization has seen rapid growth since its founding in 2021, with a focus on opposing LGBTQ discussions, critical race theory, and Covid-19 mandates in schools. It reported a significant increase in revenue, reaching $2.1 million in 2022. The organization has not yet responded to inquiries regarding Fisher’s role and his criminal history.