Monday, 13 March 2023 09:16

2 Arrested as Drag Queen Story Hour Draws Protesters and Supporters to Wadsworth Featured

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Two people arrested in Wadsworth Saturday, as a drag queen storytelling event brought out protestors, supporters, and armed white supremacists. 

Hundreds of people filled Wadsworth Memorial Park, as a humanist group put on their “Rock-n-Roll Humanist Drag Queen Story Hour.” The event aimed at children and parents had drawn plenty of controversy, while supporters maintained that it was an event designed to be appropriate for children.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that while the event did proceed as planned the situation in the park remained volatile from start to finish. Neo-nazis and white supremacists groups shouted "Heil Hilter" amongst other racial and homophobic slurs, while other protesters followed attendees, including children, as they entered and exited the event. 

Toward the end of the 4 hour event police report that two people were arrested, one a supporter of the event, and one a protester who was wielding a metallic object as a weapon. 

According to a witness and video footage, one protester pulled a gun and tried to fire it, but the gun did not go off. Wadsworth police say they are aware of the incident and that it is under investigation. 

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