AG Letitia James “Drag Story Hour” Attracts Over 100 Protesters, Police, and Even New York City Hall Guards
State Prosecutor Letitia James “Drag Story Hour” It drew more than 100 protesters from all sides on Sunday — forcing cops and even city hall security guards into the bustling Manhattan scene.
The event at the center, an LGBTQA community facility on West 13th Street in Greenwich Village, has already drawn criticism from critics who applauded the use of tax dollars to have performers read stories to children at various Big Apple locations.
Adding to Price on Sunday was the city council’s sergeant-at-arms squad, which was on hand to provide security for at least six city legislators who attended the event.
“The council security team goes to all these events where council members go and there’s a chance someone gets hurt,” Councilman Eric Butcher (D-Manhattan, D-Manhattan) told The Post outside of the story hour on Sunday.
He said a council member who funded one of the events had unwelcome visitors to his home and his office was vandalized, so security is “certainly not taking any chances”.
Events co-sponsored by the The nonprofit Drag Story Hour NYCwhich has received more than $200,000 in city contracts since 2018, according to records — angering critics of Baby Sessions.
Butcher said Sunday’s event involved “a few dozen kids with their families.”
At least one protester outside was arrested, police said, while a group of NYPD motorcyclists were seen escorting a well-known member of the right-wing Proud Boys party to safety during the demonstration.
The policemen described the arrested person as a “demonstrator against the tow story”. [who was] Arrested for assaulting a pro-withdrawal agitator.”
The identity of the suspect was not immediately revealed.
Meanwhile, protesters on both sides of the debate faced off from the event.
John McGuigan of New Jersey said, “I am against children who are exposed to sexually explicit material, to adult men in clothes who roll in front of them and show their breasts, who show their backs to young children, and who try to indoctrinate them into an act of infidelity.”
McGuigan said he is gay but society rejects him because he is conservative.
Nearby, LGBTQ supporters held up a “Stop the Hate” sign and chanted, “We’re home!” Behind the barricades outside the nearby Kaplan Diamond Building.
“I’m here to protect our vulnerable communities — our trans community, our children,” said Michael Henry, 52, of Washington Heights. “There are many ignorant people in this world.”
Butcher added: “A few dozen children with their families are sitting on mats and reading stories.
“Guess what? It was like any other story watch. It happened to be read by a colorful character in a costume.
“The idea that this will make kids want to grow up to be drag queens is ridiculous,” he said.
In a statement released by the attorney general’s office on Sunday, James said the primary aim of the event was to “condemn hate and combat rampant misinformation.”
“The recent upsurge in anti-LGBTQ+ protests, rhetoric and politics has left New Yorkers — myself included — frustrated and frustrated,” said James. “But I know better than anyone that when the choice is between love and hate, between joy and poison, New Yorkers will always choose love, and New Yorkers will always choose joy.”
Additional reporting by Carl Campanile
