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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.