Paula Gilligan, a Democrat councilwoman in Glen Rock, New Jersey, shared this post on Instagram mocking Easter with references to abortion and drag. (Instagram/Glen Rock Borough Council)
Gilligan later apologized in a statement released on social media and on the council's website, claiming her posting of the meme was intended to express her views on abortion and trans issues, but notably made no mention of Easter.
"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 meme takes aim at the absurdity of ‘personhood’ laws," Gilligan wrote, referencing various current and proposed laws in states around the country dictating that fetuses have the same legal rights as a person already born.
"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. To those who feel it mocks your holiday traditions, that was not my intention. Wishing all who celebrate a peaceful, joyous holiday," she added.
Gilligan's posting of the meme and subsequent apology came just weeks after residents of Glen Rock gathered at the local high school cafeteria on Mar. 9 to stand in solidarity against antisemitism following multiple instances of vandalism around the borough that even attracted the attention of Democrat Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who condemned them.
Glen Rock's mayor and other council members released a statement over the weekend apologizing to members of the community offended by Gilligan's actions.
WATCH: DEMOCRAT FRONTRUNNER IN TIGHT SENATE RACE DROPS RACIAL SLUR DURING HOUSE HEARING
Barry Wilkes, a local Republican leader from Glen Rock, New Jersey and former state Assembly candidate. (Barry Wilkes)
"I'm a churchgoer, and I'm a believer. To see this the week before Easter was really troubling — troubling to the respect that it has absolutely nothing to do with what the holiday, what the holy day means. The resurrection of Christ has absolutely nothing to do with that," Wilkes said.
"What bothers me most, and the reason I'm involved, is because it's very selfish when adults do these types of things because it only hurts our children. It confuses our children and makes it harder for them to figure out what's going on, what the world is all about," he said.
Wilkes, a former candidate for the New Jersey state Assembly who is considering his own run for district chair, said he was part of a group looking into launching a recall effort against Gilligan, and that he wanted people to show up in the hundreds for the 6:30 p.m. ET council meeting and the 8:00 p.m. ET question portion to show what kind of behavior shouldn't be displayed by a local elected official.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"You want someone on a council who people look up to, who has answers for them, who you believe in because you voted for them and trusted them. To come out two weeks after the March 9th meeting and be divisive with something like this is just blatant hypocrisy," he said.
"I think betrayed is a good word," he added.
Brandon Gillespie is an associate editor at Fox News. Follow him on X at @BGillespieAL.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/new-jersey-democrat-facing-pressure-resign-mocking-easter-online-drag-abortion-references