Bristol City Council has today issued a statement to say it will not tolerate any discrimination or abuse aimed at any community, following protests at a library event for young children in the city. Drag Queen Story Hour was scheduled to begin a series of library appearances in Bristol today, starting at Henleaze Library, however the event was later cancelled as protesters against the event gathered outside.
Drag Queen Story Hour began its national summer tour on Monday, July 25, in Reading where its founder and performer Aida H Dee, who grew up in Bristol, had her reading interrupted by protesters, two of which organisers said had "gained access to the story hour by using their own disabled autistic child as a 'human trojan horse'.
The police had to get involved and Aida herself had to be escorted out of the event, with officers having to form a 'human wall' to protect her from an assault, or a 'citizen's arrest' - something even protesters here in Bristol today said they were planning on doing. Police also attended today's Bristol event in Henleaze, acting as a barrier between two opposing groups of protesters.
Read more: Live: Protesters clash outside Drag Story Time as group threatens citizen arrest on drag artist
Meanwhile, parents and their young children queued up outside the library mere metres from the protesters - some fearing for their safety. They were let inside, however the event was later cancelled. The next event is due to take place at another library in Bristol at 1pm.
In a statement, Bristol City Council said: "Drag Queen Story Hour at Bristol Libraries offer children a rich experience in story telling in an interactive way as well as an understanding of different communities. Lessons like this are how we can create a more inclusive society, and educate children about tolerance and difference.
"Unfortunately it seems some adults need these lessons too. As well as unacceptable abuse online, some people have decided to go to our library to protest against the session.
"We have put security in place and requested a police presence to reduce the risk of threatening behaviour towards the artists involved, our staff, and the parents and children. We will not tolerate any discrimination or abuse aimed at any community and will not stop striving towards creating a more inclusive society, that welcomes difference."
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