Anti-Critical Race Theory Activists Fail in Effort to Recall North Kingstown School Committee Member
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
The effort by anti-critical race theory activists to recall North Kingstown School Committee member Jennifer Lima has failed.
According to Lima -- and the Democratic Party -- there were in fact no signatures submitted calling for her recall.
Led by groups including the Gaspee Project, recall organizers claimed Lima was "openly seeking to indoctrinate students with divisive race and gender theories as well as anti-police propaganda."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"Lima, who is openly seeking to indoctrinate students with divisive race and gender theories as well as anti-police propaganda, has shamed students, tried to mis-use taxpayer money, mis-represented her campaign platform, and was dishonest on the radio ... all to cover-up her true radical-left agenda," the Gaspee Project continued on September 16.
"The Gaspee Project is raising funds to conduct mailers to registered voters in the town, alerting them to the Lima recall petition drive. The first mailer should hit North Kingstown mailboxes by early next week," they added. "The Lima recall petition campaign is being organized by Friends of North Kingstown Schools, a nonpartisan local group, composed of concerned parents and students. Over 3100 valid petition signatures must be obtained by October 12 to kick off a special recall election."
Lima on Tuesday issued the following statement following the results of the effort.
"The desire to be better in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our town has existed long before I came along," said Lima.
"I have been subject to a pattern of harassment, intimidation, and bullying that has been carried out over the past few months," she added. "But what I’ve endured is nothing compared to what people of color have endured for far too long."
SEE LIMA'S STATEMENT BELOW
"The petitions would have forced a recall election to replace Lima with losing Republican candidate Hannah Zangari," said the North Kingstown Democratic Party on Tuesday. "Lima’s opponents, led by Republican Town Council member Mary Brimer, appeared before the town Board of Canvassers in August to demand the petitions. They used the formal process outlined in the town charter but cited nothing more than a difference of opinion with her. They had 60 days to gather the required signatures, but not a single signature was ever turned in, despite a well-funded campaign that included an all-town mailer, a website, canvassing, and tables set up at the post office and transfer station."
"Though local Republicans like Brimer led the recall effort, it received significant support from the Gaspee Project, part of a national network of conservative dark money non-profits. They took advantage of the loophole in state election law that requires no financial disclosures for simply circulating a recall petition. The Gaspee Project and their local allies attempted to paint Lima’s support for diversity and equity initiatives into support for 'critical race theory," the party added. "This attempt reflects a national trend of political operatives seeking to sow confusion and dissension in communities by claiming that efforts to reduce educational inequities are somehow harmful or unnecessary."
Brimer -- and the Gaspee Project -- did not respond to request for comment at time of publication on Tuesday.
“Jennifer Lima was elected last fall with more votes than any other municipal candidate. She ran on a campaign to improve outcomes for all students and has done nothing but work to fulfill her campaign promises ever since. This recall petition was just a waste of time and money and is only meant to intimidate town officials into staying quiet,” said North Kingstown Democratic party chair Anne Geertman.
On Tuesday night, Gaspee Project spokesperseon Clay Johnson said that despite the recall failing he is "confident that the American ideal of equal-opportunity will not be replaced by the extreme radical notions of equalized outcomes."
Originally published 10/12/21 7:41 PM
Updated 10/12/21 11:36 PM
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