SAN LORENZO, California (KGO) – Children’s story time turned into a nightmare at the San Lorenzo Library on Saturday afternoon.
The drag queen of the Bay Area, Panda Dulce, was co-organizing a children’s reading event to celebrate Pride Month when the unthinkable suddenly happened.
“Eight to ten proud boys came in with their cameras on, pointing at me, mocking me from behind,” Dulce said.
A group of men believed to be affiliated with far-right group Proud Boys stormed the event.
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They gestured with the hands of white power as they began throwing homophobic and transphobic insults at Dulce.
“They said who brought the transsexual. She’s a hairdresser. She’s a pedophile. Why bring your kids to this event,” Dulce said.
Dulce was then escorted by security away from the men and called law enforcement.
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office says they are investigating the incident and have activated their hate crime protocols.
Yesterday, a group of proud boys stormed a children’s story time event in San Lorenzo. It was organized by the public library and the drag queen of the Panda Dulce Bay area. I sat down with Panda tonight to talk about the experience and share the story tonight at 11 a.m. at @ abc7newsbayarea pic.twitter.com/L8GTUupLwn
– Tim Johns (@tim_johns_) June 13, 2022
We’ve blurred some of the videos to hide signs of white energy as well as offensive clothing. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and has begun its “hate crime protocol.” @ abc7newsbayarea
– Tim Johns (@tim_johns_) June 13, 2022
While this is a consolation for Dulce, she is concerned that incidents like these will be organized and escalated.
She calls on all those who oppose extremism to stand up.
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“I think now is the time to unite and unite as one united front,” Dulce said.
Not just for her, but for the kids too.
Dulce, who studies in the Ivy League and has more than a decade of experience in social work, says many of them were terrified.
“I don’t want to hurt you. I just want to tell you a story. That’s all. I just want to tell you a story,” Dulce said.
The event has been heavily scrutinized by both local leaders and the San Lorenzo Library.
“I really believe that libraries are a place where everyone is welcome. We are open to all members of our community, and we can’t be intimidated or intimidated by these kinds of threats. That’s not what we’re going to stand for,” he said. Alameda County Librarian Cindy Chadwick.
And even though it’s marked on Dulce, “a lot of people ask me how, do you feel safe? Are you okay? And the answer is no, no. I don’t feel safe in my house,” she said.
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She is determined not to be a victim.
Dulce says she’s not going anywhere and is determined never to let fear and intimidation stop her from doing the things she enjoys.
“They succeeded in scaring us, but they didn’t succeed in their ultimate goal of making us leave because of their own discomfort with the diversity of our world. They failed at that,” Dulce said.
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