“I Came Here to Help People, Not Get the Sh*t Beat Out of Me.” – Clashes and Arrests outside of Drag Story Hour.
March 19 2023 MANHATTAN, New York – Protesters, Proud Boys, Orthodox Rabbis and counterprotests surrounded the LGBTQ center entrance as they held Drag Queen Story Hour with New York Attorney General Letitia James. Event was held from 11am until 3pm on 13th street in Greenwich Village Manhattan.


One person, wearing anonymous mask, confronted protesters and press, knocking things out of their hands, later got arrested.
As event went on, a member of Proud Boys allegedly fought with defenders, one of the people who was with the Proud Boys group says he got beat up “I came here to help, not get the shit beat out of me” – said the person, with visible blood on his face ushered away from Drag Queen Story Hour event in NYC as protesters chanted “Go back to Long Island” and “Fuck the Proud Boys”.




Ultra Orthodox Rabbis, who said they did not associate with any group, but specified that they are “anti-Zionist”,joined the protesting outside to speak against the event, “This was lenninstine, Hitlerstine, they took away our children”
“We are overwhelming their hate, with our love, support and positivity” – said Eric Bottcher, the Counsilmember who attended the event.




Attorney General James was joined by local elected officials, including Assemblymembers Tony Simone and Grace Lee, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Council Members Erik Bottcher, Shekar Krishnan, and Crystal Hudson.
“The recent rise in anti-LGBTQ+ protests, rhetoric, and policies has left New Yorkers — myself included — devastated and disappointed. But I know better than anyone that when the choice is between love and hate, between joy and venom, New Yorkers will always choose love, and New Yorkers will always choose joy,” said Attorney General James. “I am proud to have been joined by my colleagues in advocacy and government today in celebration of the love, joy, and family fun that Drag Story Hour brings to our communities. Hate has no home in New York, and I will always fight to ensure our LGBTQ+ siblings’ rights are upheld and defended.”
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