Proud Boys, Patriot Front & Others Protest Drag Storytime in Columbus

A Holi-Drag Storytime event was cancelled in Columbus, Ohio after Proud Boys announced plans to protest the event today.

The drag storytime, billed as a kid-friendly event and set to be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, was cancelled shortly before it was set to take place Saturday morning. Proud Boys had announced protest plans weeks in advance, and despite initial assurances of event security by organizers, they ultimately opted not to hold the event at the church on Saturday.

Dozens of Proud Boys showed up to protest where the event would have been held, with some traveling from out of state for the demonstration. Other groups including Patriot Front later joined the protest as well. An armed group in camo, identifying themselves as acting as peacekeepers, was present as demonstrations took place.

Organizers had put out a request days in advance of the event (before cancellation) asking people not to counter-protest the Proud Boys. Ultimately, a handful did show up in counter-protest outside the church, though far fewer than the group of Proud Boys and others that protested the event. Some exchanges took place between opposing individuals, though no major altercations occurred.

Demonstrators later made their way down towards a busier road a few blocks from the church, where several groups, including a larger section of counter-protesters, stood on either side of North High Street before eventually dispersing in the afternoon.