A New Jersey Democrat is facing calls to resign after mocking Easter with an ill-advised rainbow-colored meme that offended many Christians.
Glen Rock Borough Councilwoman Paula Gilligan shared a meme on Instagram last week that stated: “Easter eggs are aborted chicken babies that are painted in drag for small children to worship.”
Local residents responded by demanding an apology from the councilwoman, with some insisting that Gilligan step down from Glen Rock’s all-Democrat, all-female council.
Paula Gilligan, a Democrat councilwoman in Glen Rock, New Jersey, shared a distasteful post on instagram mocking Easter with “abortion” and “drag”. pic.twitter.com/NZ6fqDmfZO
— T (@Rifleman4WVU) March 28, 2024
One Instagram user replied to the meme, “This is the ‘Happy Easter’ message we get from Paula Gilligan. She represents a town filled with families from all religious backgrounds. Will she post any other messages disrespecting other faiths, or is her hate only towards Catholics?”
Others went after Gilligan on the borough’s official Facebook page.
“Although her post came across as a complete mockery of religion, I’m also concerned that one of our elected official has such a tremendous lack of social-emotional intelligence,” a social media user wrote. “Politics aside, she’s clearly not fit to make decisions for our town.”
“As a Christian, I find the statement posted about ‘Easter eggs’ deeply offensive and disrespectful,” another complained.
The councilwoman responded with a prerequisite non-apology expressing remorse that some took offense to her actions.
“It has come to my attention that there are constituents in Glen Rock that have concerns with a meme on my personal Instagram story,” the Democrat said in a statement. “The meme takes aim at the absurdity of ‘personhood’ laws. Currently 40 bills with personhood language have been proposed in 16 states. Personhood language refers to legal language that would codify the dangerous notion that from the moment of fertilization, an egg should be legally recognized as a person with full constitutional rights. This legislation supports an extremist political position that I disagree with. 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 Mayor and Council of the Borough of Glen Rock,” she added. “To those who feel it mocks your holiday traditions, that was not my intention. Wishing all who celebrate a peaceful, joyous holiday.”
Glen Rock’s mayor and other council members distanced themselves from Gilligan in a statement released a statement over the weekend.
“We have been made aware of a post that appeared on one of our Council Member’s personal Instagram stories. This post invoked Easter, the holiest day of the year in the Christian calendar, in a point about two issues that have nothing to do with Easter,” the statement said. “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. That is even more true when the social media post is made by an elected official, because we are here to represent and support all Glen Rockers of all religious beliefs and backgrounds.”
“We understand how important Easter and the symbols of Easter are to the many Glen Rockers who celebrate,” it added.
Residents turned out at Wednesday’s council meeting to give Gilligan a piece of their mind, but the Democrat was apparently not too keen about hearing from those she represents.
“Hey Paula, I was hoping you and the rest of the town council would have taken the time to listen to your constituents earlier this evening. But, I now realize that was too much to ask,” a Facebook user wrote. “We saw you looking at your phone and texting back and forth tonight during the public comments – all while paying no attention to any of the speakers. You have embarrassed yourself and this town. You continue to disrespect everyone you ‘swore an oath to serve,’ and it has been noted.”
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Author: Tom Tillison
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