A powerful political cartoon commissioned by the Sussex County Republican Committee has emerged as a symbol of resistance against Democratic New Jersey Gov. c’s school guidelines, which have raised concerns about parental rights and the role of the state in influencing children’s education.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy faces backlash over controversial school guidelines that allow students to change their gender identity without parental notification. A political cartoon commissioned by the Sussex County Republican Committee depicts Murphy… https://t.co/Du4YB3LiRU
— AM1_NEWS (@am1_news) September 15, 2023
The cartoon, commissioned by the Sussex County Republican Committee, portrays Murphy forcibly separating a child from their parents, with sinister-looking aides poised to administer injections and dress the child in unfamiliar attire. A stark warning accompanies the artwork, stating that “No Family is Safe” from Murphy’s inappropriate mandates.
No Family is Safe from Phil Murphy Mandates: Cartoon Criticizes Governorhttps://t.co/FkQSxnGsVu
— David Barsky (@dbarsky195821) September 13, 2023
The image is set to feature in public advertisements across more than 50 locations in northwest New Jersey, a strong statement against what many perceive as government overreach into family matters.
Earlier this year, Murphy drew the ire of parents when state guidelines revealed that schools would not be required to inform parents if a student chooses to change their gender identity.
The rules explicitly state, “There is no affirmative duty for any school district personnel to notify a student’s parent or guardian of the student’s gender identity or expression.”
This revelation left many parents feeling sidelined and concerned about the state’s role in their children’s upbringing, and many, including teachers, are joining the chorus of dissent against the controversial state guidelines.
One New Jersey mother, speaking to FOX News Digital, voiced her disapproval of the guidelines, saying, “I think it’s harmful. I think this is separating parents from their children in favor of the state.”
She commended the political cartoon as “powerful,” describing it as a reflection of her own fears about the state’s influence over her child’s education.
“It shows this kid, being taken by these alien doctors. And that’s how I feel, like I don’t want to give up my role as a parent to the school. I want to be the one teaching them right from wrong,” she stated.
The concerned parent expressed the need to protect her child from controversial health class lessons in their school district, lessons she believes are more provocative than educational. She highlighted the daily anxiety of not knowing what her child is being taught and whether it aligns with her family’s values.
Another parent, Brian Mason, a father of seven with four children still attending Middletown schools, also expressed support for the cartoon campaign. Per Fox News, he believes that the Sussex County GOP is taking the right stance against the governor’s education mandates.
According to Mason, Murphy “has stepped over the line by suing Townships over their refusal to allow parents from being kept in the dark about their children.”
Mason was referring to some school districts, including Middletown, Marlboro, and Manalapan-Englishtown, where policies were introduced to require schools to notify parents if their children wished to change their gender identity, pronouns, or name or use different facilities.
Murphy’s administration, however, responded by suing these districts, alleging violations of New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination and potential harm to transgender students.
