A group of so-called Proud Boys has managed to disrupt another Pride Month library event for kids.
This time it took place on Monday in South Bend, Indiana. A group calling itself the Michiana Proud Boys, a local branch of the white nationalist hate group, filmed themselves entering the Tutt branch of the St Joseph County Public Library
They entered a side room to the main library space and started to ask librarians what “gives you the right” to talk about sexuality to kids. The small number of kids in the room are seen leaving, while the far-right protestors continue to try to engage with the librarians.
“What gives you the right to give them questions of sexuality at such a young age?” asks the man who appears to be the group’s ringleader.
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“This is perversion and it can’t be taught to children.”
One of the librarians points out the children were present with the permission of their parents, but this doesn’t wash with the men, who claim they still have “no right … what you want to do in your own home is up to you, but you can’t force this on children … sexuality is not a place for the library.”
Someone, possibly the man filming the encounter, can be heard saying, “You’re grooming these children’s minds.”
The librarians remain remarkably calm as they ask the men to leave. The men refuse and eventually the police arrive and the Proud Boys are persuaded to leave. The filmed stand-off lasts for about 45 minutes.
The reading event was postponed as most of the kids present had left by this point.
Related: Dallas drag show for kids prompts street protest and conservative meltdown
Marissa Gebhard, communications manager for the library system, told the South Bend Tribune, “It is a shock and we are very disappointed an event celebrating LGBTQ+ communities was disrupted. Our staff are very affected by it.”
The library later issued a statement saying, “On Monday, June 27 at 5 p.m. the Tutt Branch had planned to offer a Rainbow Storytime program followed by bubble wrap rainbow painting. This program was presented in partnership with The Tree House Gender Resource Center. Prior to the start of the storytime, a group from the Michiana Proud Boys entered the room and disrupted the program with the intent of canceling it. The Branch Manager intervened and the Library’s Public Safety Manager and the South Bend Police Department arrived on site and dealt with the situation.
“A public library is a place of belonging. It is a place for everyone. The Library treats all community members, staff, and partners with dignity and respect. Everyone is welcome at all St. Joe County Public Library facilities.
“The Library is a safe place for everyone, and we will continue to work to make sure that everyone is and feels safe and welcome.”
It says it will reschedule the event.
A couple of weeks ago, Proud Boys attempted to disrupt a similar event taking place at a library in San Francisco.
Related: ‘Proud Boys’ try to disrupt drag queen story hour in California
On Sunday, Proud Boys attempted to disrupt a Pride Month event at a library in McKinney, Texas. However, when they turned up, they were met by several pro-LGBTQ activists and allies holding up rainbow flags and signs advocating for equality. They successfully managed to block the Proud Boys from entering the building.
Bosch
These men can’t think about gay people without thinking about gay sex.
If you know, you know.
someone
Ah, another product of the religion of love and forgiveness.
They forcefully indoctrinate their own children in a death cult, where those who do not follow the rules are burned alive, but they take issue with children learning about something that’s actually relevant.
It should be illegal to force religious “education” on children. They should only be exposed to it when they’re old enough to think critically, and for themselves. Then, they can make up their own mind on whether sky daddy exists and whether they should follow the most barbaric, murderous deity known to all mainstream religions.
connor larkin
Extremist RWer Stewart Rhodes, TX Oath Keeper’s, OWN son testified against him about his criminal treasonous activity.
LegionKeign
We need our own version of the “Proud Boys” to stand guard at these events and prevent these assholes from intervening.
We have to stand up to these bullies or it will only get worse. If they think they can intimidate us they will become embolden and it will get worse.
CNY1983
COUNT ME IN!!!!!!
Chrisk
I grew up with these sick nazi shitheads and if anyone’s trying to groom it’s them with their hate for anyone different.
Bosch
They don’t seem too bothered about child marriage in red states. That kind of grooming, the real kind, is ok by them.
ZzBomb
People need to stop engaging these guys and just point at them and start laughing and don’t stop. I mean look at them!? Big tough guy with his arms crossed doing what exactly? Showing the word how tiny his manhood is that he hasn’t seen below his belly in 30 years.
Point
And
Laugh
Then pepper spray.
Gay-Mullato
soap, water and beard clippers scare these freaks, they’ll run if confronted with these 3 tools ..lol
Cam
Hitler had his brownshirts, and this is what today’s Republican Party has.
jt1990
Actually I believe they work for the Democratic Party. This biker gang was paid off by some Left wing interest group to stir division before the primaries this year. Easy assignment, easy money. And maybe a few Blue votes in November!
Kangol2
LOL, jt is spewing more right-wing conspiracy nuttery. “Paid off by some Left wing interest group”? Say that to their faces and they’ll probably smack your lips and nose off. These are right-wing true believers! If you don’t see that, you might want to speak to more than an optometrist!
Den
Ah jt1990, another sad right winger who has never advanced intellectually beyond the age of 7 or 8. You might be surprised to learn that just believing something doesn’t make it either true or real. Hopefully that is not too complex for your little mind to understand.
Bosch
Hahahaha “they work for the democratic party”.
Let me guess: you’re also a flat-earther, anti-vaxxer, and believe trump won the last election?
RKP
I’m gay and I don’t think about gay stuff as much as these guys.
They’re either so deeply repressed or pissed off everyone besides them is having sex.
Gay-Mullato
These lowlifes look like they could use a bath and some grooming, the epitome of trailer trash
monty clift
Why are they always so ugly?! Never in my life have I seen a good-looking bigot, at least then I’d be willing to listen, but they’re always unsightly!
My2CentsWorth
There might be a strong connection between their unappealing appearance AND their personalities.
inbama
As a terrorist organization that attempted to overturn our presidential election last year, “Proud Boys” belong in prison along with Donald Trump.
I still believe Story Hour is the dumbest idea created in our name and triggers more controversy than it’s worth. DQSH was not even created by drag queens, but women running a “queer literary group” from San Francisco that now operates it as an NGO. In places like NYC, the organization receives money from the library, and the organization hires and pays the drag queens. Republicans are having a great time smearing drag queens and the rest of us as apparently 6 of the readers now have pedophile charges. (Please note: there is absolutely NO reason to associate drag queens with pedophilia, but the organization is not doing good screening.)
According to the DQSH website, this is its purpose: ” DQSH captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real.”
On the 27th, Proud Boys brought a gun to DQSH in Nevada. Last Saturday, they disrupted one at the San Lorenzo Library in California. The Washington Post says “investigators believe the confrontation was spurred by the Twitter account Libs of TikTok.”
Andrew
The best thing to do is take pictures and find out who their employers are and pressure them.
Brian
If they’re able to show up at events on a whim on a weekday, I wonder if they have jobs at all.
I wondered that about the trucker protests too. Who has time to drive around for weeks on end? Were they collecting unemployment (despite probably not searching for work)? Are they getting outside funding from some rich donor? These people live such weird lives. I’m way too busy to do stuff like this stunt.
CNY1983
why dont they give their names? because theyre scared shitless someone might find out about them and they wont be paid by the RIGHT WING INTEREST GROUP?
why doesnt this happen near me? im sure i could get a few of them arrested before their 45 minutes was up,
blackhook
Look at those dimwits, parading their stupidity & hatred to a national audience. Somehow the Proud Boys didn’t get the memo that white ‘supremacists’ are ALWAYS the biggest losers. Sad!
Mack
As I suggested on several sites, take a picture of these cowards and if they’re wearing masks, a picture of their license plates and post on the internet as cowards. Let the world know they’re cowards.