California college’s US 250th birthday celebration sparks livid mum or dad backlash

A Southern California center college meeting celebrating the upcoming US 250th birthday sparked livid backlash from left-wing dad and mom and activists who accused organizers of bringing conservative politics into the classroom.

The occasion, dubbed “Historical past Rocks 250,” was held this week at Canyon Hills Junior Excessive College in Chino Hills and featured patriotic shows, scholar performances, and speeches centered on American historical past and civic satisfaction.

The US will have fun its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026 — marking 250 years for the reason that adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

However earlier than college students even walked by means of the doorways, protesters gathered exterior the campus holding indicators studying, “No politics at school,” whereas some dad and mom reportedly stored their kids dwelling over considerations concerning the conservative teams tied to the occasion, in response to ABC7 Eyewitness Information.

The uproar centered largely on the meeting’s hyperlinks to conservative organizations Turning Level USA and the Heritage Basis.

“I’m involved concerning the views of Turning Level USA and the Heritage Basis, which produced Undertaking 2025,” Chino Hills grandparent Debra Esquivel mentioned whereas criticizing the occasion.

Turning Level USA was based by conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated final yr throughout an occasion hosted by the group at a university campus in Utah.

Regardless of the controversy, the meeting moved forward with patriotic themes woven all through this system.

College students and college opened the gathering with the Pledge of Allegiance earlier than the varsity choir carried out the nationwide anthem.

Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified College District Board of Training, addressed the gang and was met with scattered boos from some viewers members as she walked onstage.

“It’s OK. I heard,” Shaw mentioned after attendees jeered her look.

This system additionally included remarks from Katharine Gorka, who was launched as a senior adviser for civic schooling on the U.S. Division of Training and a former official in President Donald Trump’s first administration.

“We’re probably the most welcoming nation on earth, and I like that about this nation,” Gorka informed college students.

College students performed a serious function within the presentation, serving as emcees, collaborating in trivia contests and discussing milestones in American historical past.

One scholar moderator quizzed classmates by asking: “Which conflict left Britain in debt and inflicting greater taxes on the colonies?”

The meeting wrapped with speeches from Canyon Hills college students reflecting on America’s historical past and what they described because the alternatives the nation presents immigrants and households looking for freedom.

“What makes America particular is that for generations households all around the world have come right here, trying to find freedom, alternative and the prospect to construct a greater life,” one scholar mentioned in the course of the closing remarks.

College officers mentioned the campus hosted two separate assemblies lasting about 45 minutes every to accommodate college students.

Afterward, Shaw blasted what she described as misinformation surrounding the occasion and mentioned she was disenchanted some households selected to not ship their kids to high school.

“I really feel unhealthy their children missed college, that’s a complete day of instruction time. It was an interplay. Clearly each lie that was put out earlier than the occasion passed off did some harm,” Shaw mentioned.

The conflict underscores rising political tensions inside California faculties, the place debates over patriotism, curriculum and civic schooling have develop into main flashpoints between conservative and progressive dad and mom.

Supporters argued the occasion was merely meant to have fun American historical past forward of the nation’s 250th birthday subsequent yr and encourage civic engagement amongst college students.

However critics mentioned the involvement of right-leaning organizations blurred the road between schooling and politics.

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