Conservative Groups Spark Backlash Over ‘History Rocks 250’ School Assembly in Chino Hills

The 250th birthday of the United States was supposed to be a moment of celebration at Canyon Hills Junior High in Chino Hills, California. Instead, the “History Rocks 250” assembly became a flashpoint for controversy and parent protests over its political affiliations and messaging.

Organized by groups linked to Turning Point USA and other conservative organizations, the event drew sharp criticism from families worried about the ideological slant being pushed on students. Several parents chose to keep their children home, while others displayed banners demanding “No politics in school.”

Debra Esquivel, a local grandparent, voiced a common concern: “I’m concerned about the views of Turning Point USA, and the Heritage Foundation, which produced Project 2025.” Project 2025 is a blueprint for authoritarian governance that aims to dismantle federal agencies and civil liberties, raising alarms about the potential indoctrination of young students.

The assembly opened with the pledge of allegiance and a school choir rendition of the national anthem. Chino Valley Unified School District Board President Sonja Shaw took the stage to mixed reactions, including audible boos from some attendees. Shaw dismissed the backlash as based on “every lie that was put out before the event took place,” lamenting the loss of instruction time for students who stayed home.

One featured speaker was Katharine Gorka, a senior advisor for civic education at the U.S. Department of Education and former Trump administration official. Gorka praised America as “the most welcoming country on earth,” a statement at odds with the divisive politics associated with her past roles.

Students participated actively, with one serving as master of ceremonies and leading trivia questions designed to highlight patriotic themes. The event closed with student reflections on America’s promise of freedom and opportunity, but the underlying tension over the assembly’s political roots remained palpable.

This incident is far from isolated. Across the country, conservative groups like Turning Point USA are increasingly infiltrating public schools under the guise of civic education, promoting agendas aligned with far-right political projects like Project 2025. These efforts threaten to undermine democratic values and distort historical facts for political gain.

The “History Rocks 250” assembly controversy underscores the urgent need for vigilance and transparency in public education. When schools become battlegrounds for partisan propaganda, the very foundations of civic trust and democratic engagement are at risk. We will continue to track and expose these attempts to weaponize education for authoritarian ends.