The Proud Boys continued their public disruptions of Drag Queen Story Hours this past Sunday. The latest incident took place in Sparks, Nevada. Only this time, they showed up to the local public library with guns.
Standing outside the Sparks Library, the Proud Boys reportedly yelled “Shame on you for bringing your children to this.” Another called one of the parents “sick” as they entered the library.
One of the librarians spoke to KRNV, the local NBC News affiliate, but anonymously as she was fearful of retaliation by the anti-LGBTQ Proud Boys.
She told KRNV she called the Sparks Police Department four times during the event. A statement from the Sparks PD acknowledged responding twice.
Around 11:30am, police were called regarding a possible assault. But the victim, identified as Washoe County Libraries Director Jeff Scott, declined to press charges.
June 26: PBs — one carrying a gun — march toward a drag queen story hour at a public library in Sparks, Nevada. The gunman made attendees run inside, many seen screaming, crying. Other PBs held signs like, “leave kids alone, drag queens go home.”https://t.co/Pxg8NdNjmj
— Andy Campbell (@AndyBCampbell) July 1, 2022
Two hours later, the police returned after being notified one of the protestors was seen carrying a rifle outside the library building.
It’s important to note that the recent mass shooting at Uvalde Elementary School in Texas is still fresh in people’s mind. So the fear factor was palpable.
“We had some people who were visibly shaken and sobbing,” the librarian told KRNV. “We brought everybody in the building and got them out of vision out of sight.”
According to a police statement, the armed gunman had departed the scene before police officers arrived.
The librarian told KRNV she hoped police officers would’ve done more to make the parents and children feel safe as they arrived and departed the event.
“When you have a situation where it’s potentially volatile and weapon appears — simply a presence, indicating that there are police nearby, would have been reassuring to the families.”
Sparks PD confirmed to KRNV that the police officers who showed up at the library did not engage with the crowd at any point during the protest.
In a statement to KRNV, Sparks Police spokesperson Sgt. Nicholas Chambers offered this explanation as to why officers did not act against a man terrorizing a group of children with a gun.
“Just as all citizens have the constitutional right to peacefully demonstrate within the confines of the law, so does a person have the right to open carry in the State of Nevada,” Chambers wrote. “The Sparks Police Department honors all citizens’ constitutional rights within the confines of the law.”
Nevada state law allows gun owners to carry firearms on all public properties including libraries. The only exceptions are airports, public schools, or public child care centers.
In spite of the tension in the air, the library called the event a success. A tweet from the Washoe County Library system read:
“DragQueenStoryTime was a success! Sparks families came out today to meet Miss Ginger and join in the fun. Special thanks to Austin from @SenCortezMasto’s office for presenting Ginger with a very special proclamation! What an honor on this fabulous day!”
#DragQueenStoryTime was a success! Sparks families came out today to meet Miss Ginger and join in the fun. Special thanks to Austin from @SenCortezMasto’s office for presenting Ginger with a very special proclamation! What an honor on this fabulous day! 🌈📚 pic.twitter.com/XE0eA3ImJm
— Washoe County Library (@WashoeLibrary) June 26, 2022
A spokesperson for Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) issued the following statement: “Senator Cortez Masto stands with the LGBTQ community and strongly condemns armed vigilantes threatening parents and children at a local library.”
Washoe County libraries have hosted the storytelling experience for three years now. In 2019, over 800 families attended. But this year, around 60 families attended.
The first year, the event drew one lone protester and about 50 counter-protesters who supported the event.
We need to call out Proud Boys(they are anything but … ) for SEXUALIZING their guns(penile extensions)! They never anywhere without their (DICK-RIFLES) because they think the 2nd amendment grants them that right?!? They are not a government approved militia. If a citizen who is not proud boy(how fuckin’ funny is their moniker?) decides to carry a rifle to threaten a pb’s child, is that okay with them?!? What VILE excuses for AMERICAN human beings!!!
It’s time for gays to start getting your guns. Arm yourselves….it’s coming and you need to be ready to fight. The Police are part of the proud boys and proud boys are part of the police. We as gay people need to wake up and arm up.
And spare me the anti-gun BS at this point, look at what the SCOTUS did to gut gun safety and restrictions with the New York law.
We are headed for extremely dark days and unless you want to leave the US for another country, you need to be ready.
Yes, vote, yes, protest, yes, call out whoever whenever, but people need to WAKE UP and start getting ready…
One day someone is going to use the stand your ground laws to dirt one of the so called proud boys and good riddance.
The parents of those children should bring their own guns and stand guard at the door. then let’s see how brave those “proud boys” are.
Republicans banned abortion but willing to shoot children for attending this event