A group of far right wing activists, agitators and conspiracy theorists known for disrupting Drag Story Hour events at public libraries across New York City descended on the Upper East Side, accusing the 96th Street Library of “grooming” children with the story hour held inside Wednesday afternoon.
As a local drag artist read picture books, sang songs and lead other age-appropriate activities inside the New York Public Library branch located on the south side of East 96th Street between Lexington and Park Avenue, roughly a dozen protesters, most of them men, assembled outside with signs reading “stop taking children’s innocence away” and “stop indoctrination.”
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Stationed in a barricaded holding area next to the library’s accessible exit on the sidewalk, the protesters shouted “groomer” and “pedophile” at patrons pushing strollers leaving the library.
Meanwhile, a dozen or so counter-protesters cordoned off just feet from the right wing activists held a demonstration of their own, their signs reading “drag the hate away” and “libraries are for everyone.”
“Why do you hate children?!” shouted John McGuigan, more commonly known as ‘The Gays for Trump Guy,’ “why do you support child mutilation? What the hell is wrong with you?!”
Between their unhinged rants opposing Drag Story Hour attempting to draw false equivalences between drag performers and trans people with pedophilia, pornography, drug and alcohol abuse, the protesters also spouted anti-vaccination rhetoric and even claimed President Joe Biden abuses sexually abuses children.
“He’s a sicko! He’s a pedophile! Why do you support him?” continued McGuigan, the most vocal of the protesters, who clutched a ‘Gays for Trump’ Pride flag.
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“Google ‘Biden sniffing girls!’” another demonstrator shouted.
This is the second time this group has protested Drag Story Hour outside the 96th Street Library — they also made a scene with a demonstration back on January 4th.
“Hope everyone is safe today from another ridiculous protest on the UES,” said City Council Member Keith Powers, who represents part of Upper East Side.
“If you’re thinking about spending your day protesting a free, voluntary children’s event at a public library: maybe stop and take a long hard look at yourself.”
Back at the library, McGuigan had a message for counter-protesters:
“Get used to this fucking face. We will be at every Drag Queen Story Hour in the city.”
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