Interview with Militia Members Present at Cancelled Drag Storytime Event in Columbus, Ohio

Speaking with two members of the SDOA militia (Sons and Daughters of America), whose group was present outside the cancelled drag storytime event in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday. The group stated they were there over concerns of threats made against the event, which ultimately did not proceed after internal disputes over security arrangements by event organizers.

Discussing their presence at the protests that did occur on Saturday, they indicated they were not there in protest of the drag storytime event, but rather in the interest of safety of participants and those present at the protests and counter-protests.

Despite the event’s cancellation, Saturday’s demonstrations proceeded throughout the morning into early afternoon, with some heated exchanges between opposing groups, though without major incident or altercations.

Topics discussed in this interview include how the militia was received by police, protesters and counter-protesters, whether the presence of an armed group escalated or de-escalated the situation, background and other community engagements SDOA has undertaken, and response to media coverage from the events in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday.