A drag queen story hour at Somerville Public Library was disrupted and ultimately after a bomb threat Saturday.
The story hour was advertised on social media as a “fabulous afternoon of storytelling” for ages 4-8. Shortly before the advertised start time of 2 p.m., though, a bomb threat was called in, forcing an evacuation. A bomb squad from Cambridge swept the building, finding nothing, and the Somerville Fire Department cleared the building.
Protesters circling outside held signs that read “How about Trump story hour?” and claiming the event desensitized children to “preditory [sic] behavior.” The protesters were outnumbered by supporters of the event who lined Highland Avenue with pride flags, as seen in videos posted by a counterprotester and first reported by Universal Hub.
The bomb threat is being investigated, and it is unknown whether the anonymous caller who reported the threat is affiliated with the protesters outside the library.
The story hour was organized by Drag Story Hour Boston, a chapter of the national Drag Story Hour organization. A similar event in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was canceled in March due to a bomb threat.
The incident has drawn polarizing reactions. Christine Doherty, director of operations for Super Happy Fun America, said in a statement to WCVB that “We are relieved that today’s drag queen story hour for 4- to 8-year-old children at the Somerville Public Library was canceled … We do, however, denounce the action of a bomb threat being called in, especially at a children’s event. We have no connection to the caller.” Doherty did admit that members of the group, possibly best known for organizing the Boston Straight Pride Parade in 2019, were among the protesters.
Someone identifying themselves online as one of the protesters took credit for canceling the event “along with her Super Happy Fun America sisters,” according to WCVB.
A conviction for making a bomb threat in Massachusetts is punishable by at least six months in prison, or up to 20 years, and may include a fine of between $1,000 and $50,000.
City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campbell decried the bomb threat and protests, saying in a statement posted to social media that “Bigoted right-wing cowards are stooping to new lows every day, but we’ll never let them steal our joy.”
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This protest against Drag Story Hour was a fascist assault on our community, and I’m glad to hear that the agitators were greatly outnumbered by those that support our local LGBT community.
So the same bunch of Trumpies from outside the general area decided to play vigilante again. This bunch is known to local law enforcement and need to have some basic surveillance put on them so arrests can be made as they have proved themselves to be willing to commit a criminal act (bomb threats etc.)