A local Democratic lawmaker in New Jersey is facing calls to resign after sharing a meme on social media that references drugs, abortion and mocks Easter.
“The Easter egg is an aborted baby chicken painted in drugs for young children to worship,” reads the meme, which Glen Rock Borough Councilor Paula Gilligan shared on Instagram last week. Stated.
Gilligan faced immediate backlash from community members, especially Christians, who demanded an apology and resignation from the all-Democratic, all-female Glen Rock City Council. Some are planning to protest her actions at the next borough council meeting on Wednesday night.
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Democratic Rep. Paula Gilligan of Glen Rock, New Jersey, shared this post on Instagram that mocks Easter by mentioning abortion and drugs. (Instagram/Glenrock Borough Council)
Ms Gilligan later apologized in a statement on social media and the council’s website, saying she had posted the meme to express her views on abortion and transgender issues, but made no mention of Easter. That’s worth noting.
“I have become aware that some residents of Glen Rock are concerned about a meme on my personal Instagram story that takes aim at the absurdity of ‘personality’ laws.” Gilligan wrote, citing a variety of current and proposed legislation. States across the U.S. have established that unborn children have the same legal rights as unborn children.
“It is my personal opinion that people have the right to control their bodies and their lives. My personal Instagram does not constitute the official views, opinions, or beliefs of the Borough of Glen Rock Mayor and Council. To those who felt I was being mocked: “Your holiday tradition, that was never my intention. I hope everyone who celebrates has a peaceful and joyful holiday,” she added. Ta.
Gilligan’s posting of the meme and subsequent apology comes after Glen Rock residents gathered in the cafeteria of a local high school on March 9, sparking multiple acts of vandalism around the borough and drawing the attention of Democratic lawmakers. It comes just weeks after people stood in solidarity against anti-Semitism. Josh Gottheimer blamed them.
The Mayor of Glen Rock and other City Council members issued a statement over the weekend apologizing to area residents who were offended by Mr. Gilligan’s actions.
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Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) at the American Zionist Movement/AZM Washington Forum at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C.: Renewing bipartisan commitment to support Israel and Zionism. (Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Image)
“We learned that there was a post on our city council member’s personal Instagram Story.The post referenced Easter, the holiest day of the year in the Christian calendar, and made two unrelated comments. “We are referring to three issues,” it said in a statement.
“We all feel very strongly that everyone’s religious beliefs and traditions must be treated with respect. They should not be the subject of jokes or inflammatory social media posts. This is even more true when the social media post is made by an elected official. We represent and support all Glenrockers of all religious beliefs and backgrounds. I’m here.”
“We understand how important Easter and its symbols are to the many Glenrockers who celebrate it,” it added.
Gilligan has so far not said whether he is considering resigning and did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Fox also reached out to Gottheimer’s office for comment, given his recent strong stance on anti-Semitism.
Ahead of Wednesday’s City Council meeting, local Republican leader Barry Wilkes gave an interview on Fox News Digital about his reaction to Gilligan’s mocking of Easter, and said he wants community members to speak out against such rhetoric. He expressed his hope that they would all attend the meeting.
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Barry Wilkes is a local Republican leader and former state House candidate from Glen Rock, New Jersey. (Barry Wilkes)
“I’m a churchgoer and a believer. I saw this the week before Easter and it was really disturbing. It was disturbing in that it had nothing to do with the meaning of holidays or holy days. Christ had nothing to do with it,” Wilkes said.
“What concerns me the most, and the reason I’m involved, is that it’s very selfish for adults to do this kind of thing. Because it just hurts the kids. It hurts the kids. “It confuses you and makes it difficult to understand what’s going on. What the world is all about,” he said.
Mr. Wilkes, a former candidate for the New Jersey State Assembly who is considering a run for district chairman himself, is part of a group considering starting a recall campaign against Mr. Gilligan, and the recall effort He said he hopes hundreds of people will participate. The Assembly meeting at 6:30 p.m. ET and the Questions portion at 8 p.m. ET will show what actions local elected officials should not take.
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“We need someone in Congress that the people respect, who has answers for the people, who they can trust because they voted for them and they trust them. Coming out two weeks after the March 9th meeting, “It’s a very bad thing to be at odds over something like this, it’s just blatant hypocrisy,” he said.
“I think betrayed is a good word,” he added.
