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© 2021 The Somerville Times. All rights reserved.
(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)
Boston DSA, today and every day, stands in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ siblings. Saturday, known far-right groups protested a scheduled drag queen story hour at the Somerville Public Library, which culminated in a bomb threat. These right-wing provocateurs screamed at community members to repent and that they were “devils,” accused them of molesting children, and told them that they were going to hell.
Upon receiving news of the bomb threat, one immediately told volunteers and attendees that this was proof that nobody wanted them in Somerville. Boston DSA members, including Somerville City Councilor Willie Burnley Jr., joined those in other organizations to provide support, escorts, and safety for the families arriving at the event. Once forced to clear the property because of the bomb threat, these volunteers from Boston DSA as well as many other arriving community members rallied across the street, drowning out the far-right activists continuing to protest.
At a time when right-wing extremists across the country are attacking the rights and safety of the LGBTQ+ community, it is disheartening to see such an attack in our own community. This serves as a reminder that fascists pose a threat even in the heart of a progressive state such as Massachusetts. This is far from the first time that we have seen attempts locally to disrupt a drag story hour — in December 2022, our comrades were part of the group that successfully protected a drag queen story hour at the Fall River Public Library from a violent attack by neo-Nazi group NSC.
We stand unflinchingly against the conservatives menacing our community yesterday. The transphobic, far-right demonstration was called by Christine Doherty, an organizer for the “CORR North” branch of the right-wing Massachusetts/Rhode Island hate group CORR and Operations Director in the local fascist group Super Happy Fun America. Also present was Sue Ianni, another officer in Super Happy Fun America. Ianni participated in the right-wing insurrection attempt in Washington, D.C. on January 6th, 2021. In addition to spewing anti-LGBTQ+ hatred, Ianni shouted at one of our comrades, who was wearing a kippah, to “get out of my country.” We want to make it clear that their bigoted
actions and rhetoric do not represent the values of our local community or neighbors.
We are proud of DSA’s work to stem this onslaught and expand our collective rights. Our endorsed Somerville City Councilors, Willie Burnley Jr. and J.T. Scott, are champions for the rights of LGBTQ+ people and helped lead the fight to make Massachusetts a safe haven for gender-affirming medical care. We support free Medicare for All, including
gender-affirming care and abortion on demand and without apology, and DSA chapters are fighting to protect trans rights and bodily autonomy across the country.
We will continue to show up to protect our communities. Right-wing hatred and violence have no place in Somerville, Boston, or anywhere.
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Be sure to report this! On Saturday, the Democrat Socialists of America ripped my friend’s sign from her hands and assaulted her. One, who was dressed in all black, stole my friend’s sign while another Democrat Socialist of America physically grabbed my friend with both hands from behind while yet another Democrat Socialist of America stood in front of her with her hand on my friend’s torso. (We have video still shots of this.) I was speaking with a Somerville Police officer and was no where near the attack on my friend at the time. She was ganged up on and assaulted by the Democrat Socialists of America while our City’s elected officials looked on. It’s clear who the aggressors were and they weren’t us. We are non-violent constitutional conservative activists. In addition, another of my friends had his car vandalized during the event. His Trump flag was stolen off of his car. As much as you would like to believe that we are the violent, hateful side, we are not. Your reporting is untruthful. You failed to report that on Saturday, the Democratic Socialists of America repeatedly screamed “Fascists!”, “Nazis!”, “Bigots!”, “Go home!” and anti-Catholic sentiments at us because we want to shelter children from adult matters and subjects. You also did not report that as we approached the library, the Democrat Socialists of America physically stood in our way in a failed attempt to keep us from reaching the front of the library to exercise our First Amendment right. Please remember that God sees and knows all. The Democrat Socialists of America are the ones who brought the HATE to the event and when HATE arrives in Somerville, WE stand against it. What we are, are Republicans and we are not going anywhere despite the vicious efforts of the Democrats. As our protest was wrapping up, one Somerville Police officer stated to me, “You’re not doing anything wrong.” I have it on video as I happened to already be recording at the time, but I will not be posting it as I have far more respect for that officer’s privacy than the fake news media outlets. We couldn’t care less about what consenting adults do. We do care very much about children being subjected to adults matters and topics. Report that. Be blessed. #FakeNews
LOL. Sure, honey. Always trust an Evangelical Republican to tell the truth.
Christine, that did not happen. You and your friends screamed at helpless children and threatened a bombing to prevent them from reading story books. Fascists are unwelcome in Somerville. I hope you find joy in your life and leave the trans kids that terrify you alone. We grow up into the very same trans adults you encountered the other day and there’s nothing you can do about it. Hope this helps :~)
Sam – You are full of it. YOU are the fascist. We have video of you and your friends harassing us. My friend was assaulted. We have it on video. A trans kid? You are disgusting! God doesn’t make mistakes. Saying that a child is born in the wrong body is saying that God makes mistakes. No one on our side screamed at children. I appreciate you putting a false accusation about the bomb threat in writing so that I can sue you. Go read the comments under Councilor Ben’s tweet. NO ONE agrees with you or him. He got ripped to shreds in the comments. LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE!!!
Christine…
Hi bestie! I agree G-d doesn’t make mistakes. Some people grow up and decide to transition, and there’s literally nothing you can do about it 😉
I love myself, as does my community. I know my town and my faith support me. Please move on 💖
Those darn young radical well organized and loud liberals are at it again!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/PZu2ww5Aq2BWjd25/?
You are full of bullshit Christine. Don’t associate yourself with SHFA all you’re asking for is hatred and allowing of hatred. I will never be associated with that group ever again. Protect Trans kids! ACAB! I will everyday denounce everything SHFA says or does until the day I die. Trans lives matter.