Protesters clash outside Drag Story Hour at NYC library
Offended scuffles broke out at a Drag Story Hour occasion in Queens on Thursday as protesters, together with a neo-Nazi filmed giving a Heil Hitler salute, gathered outdoors a public library.
Dozens of cops tried to maintain dueling protesters aside in the course of the wild scene outdoors the constructing in Jackson Heights. It was not instantly clear whether or not any arrests have been made.
At one level, cops appeared to detain a person who was barefoot and sporting ripped pants. The protester tried to kick an officer whereas calling him a “pig” who “wears footwear.”
Different movies confirmed some protesters arriving whereas holding a Proud Boys flag and shouting “Go away the youngsters alone!” on the supporters of the occasion.
One clip confirmed officers main away a hooded, masked neo-Nazi who gave the center finger — then gave a Sieg Heil salute whereas calling for a “future for white youngsters.”
Cops had cut up the camps to both facet of the road, with a loud contingency in help of the occasion waving rainbow-colored flags and umbrellas, singing and holding indicators like “Queens [hearts] queens.”
On the opposite facet, anti-event protesters held indicators accusing these behind the occasion of “complicated children.”
“You guys are nasty, disgusting pedophiles — each one among you!” one man spat out whereas leaning over a police barricade.
The NYPD confirmed that arrests had been made, however did instantly have a tally of what number of.
The occasion was funded by Jackson Heights council member Shekar Krishnan, who stated Wednesday that he was “proud to support” Drag Story Hour “and the literacy, love, and pleasure it promotes in our libraries!”
He was joined by council speaker Adrienne Adams and two different council members in releasing a statement Thursday condemning the “vile and disgusting” protests towards the occasions in addition to the politicians supporting them.
“Hate in all its pernicious types” has “no place in our metropolis and should be condemned,” the assertion stated.
“We stand with New Yorkers gathering right now in Jackson Heights to confront hate and defend households studying with their youngsters.”
The group careworn that “this Metropolis Council is proud to help youngsters’s packages that promote inclusivity, literacy and pleasure.”
Jackson Heights Library marketed the occasion as “a celebration of gender range, providing children unabashedly queer function fashions and the boldness to precise themselves nonetheless they really feel snug.” It was to characteristic “an incredible drag artist studying image books, singing songs, and main youngsters in a craft exercise.”
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