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THE SHOW GOES ON: When a bomb threat forced evacuation of the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice on Saturday morning, the Drag Queen Story Hour moved down Mercer Street to a nearby stoop, where Carrie Dragshaw (in foreground on steps at right) carried on her reading as children and families listened. The Princeton Police Department scoured the BRCSJ headquarters and surrounding area. No explosives were found. (Photo by Robert Zurfluh)
By Donald Gilpin
A bomb threat on Saturday morning, August 26, at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice (BRCSJ) on Stockton Street forced about 50 participants at the Drag Queen Story Hour gathering to evacuate the building.
Police searched the building as event headliner Carrie Dragshaw (Dan Clay) moved down the street to a nearby stoop, and the performance and dialogue took place in shortened form with children and adults sitting and standing on the sidewalk and grass alongside Mercer Street.
The Princeton Police Department (PPD) reported, “A canine sweep of the building and surrounding area was completed, and no explosive devices were found.” The Detective Bureau is conducting a follow-up investigation into the case.
A PPD press release noted that at 10:49 a.m. on Saturday they received an email communication from an unknown author containing “derogatory remarks aimed at LGBTQIA members and those affiliated with the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice.” The email also stated that numerous explosive devices had been placed in and around the BRCSJ headquarters.
BRCSJ Chief Activist Robt Seda-Schreiber expressed gratitude to the Princeton Police Department, “who were kind and considerate as they did their due diligence to keep us all safe.”
He described the scene shortly before the 11 a.m. scheduled start of the event. “There was a bunch of families on the back porch and there were folks in the parking lot,” he said. “That’s when the police officer showed up. Dan [Carrie Dragshaw] was putting his wig on, and I was making sure that everything was ready for this wonderful Drag Queen Story Hour. That’s when they said we have to leave. So we took a stroll down the street to a neighboring stoop — a fabulous field trip with kids, adults, and families that were with us.”
He added, “We will never give in to any sort of threat from folks who want to try to not allow us to gather in our beloved community as we deserve, as we need to, as we always will. And whatever we need to do we will.”
Dragshaw presented her reading and talk without her wig, which was replaced by a baseball cap, but she did wear her tutu and was also sporting colorful orange Crocs.
“I think the voices of negativity can be loud, but I believe the voices of positivity are greater,” said Dragshaw. “A kid today was wearing a shirt that said ‘We’re stronger together,’ and I really believe that. I’m a firm believer in not letting the negativity take over the narrative. There’s so much love and joy in the community.”
Dragshaw added, “I just love kids. I love stories and books. I love drag. I love everything that the Bayard Rustin Center does, and it’s a privilege to be able to do anything I can to support the Center and spread a little love and sunshine.”
BRCSJ Community Organizer Sara Wasserman emphasized that this incident is dramatic proof of the need for organizations like the BRCSJ and events like the Drag Queen Story Hour.
“Drag Queen Story Hours across the country are being attacked and banned and harassed, and unfortunately this has made its way here to us, which is exactly why we have the center, exactly why we need community support,” she said. “But I hope the message isn’t about hate and fear, because that’s not the story that matters.”
She went on, “The story that matters is that we have a community here of people who banded together to show solidarity and are supported by the rest of Princeton and who came out to celebrate community and to support LGBTQIA operations regardless of what the hate-mongers want. It’s so important that we celebrate the people and their uplifting instead of trying to diminish.”
Paula Alekson, in attendance at the event, also emphasized the national context of this incident. “This is a really important moment, in the midst of the resurgence of homophobia and transphobia, to support these types of events and to let kids know that love is the answer.”
Alekson, who is McCarter Theatre’s artistic engagement manager, continued, “As one of the folks working in community partnerships, I am a partner and McCarter is a partner with the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice. I believe in the work that they’re doing. I needed the work that they’re doing when I was in my own youth, and so whenever I can I want to support their programming.”
BRCSJ Librarian-in-Residence Martha Hickson said of the event, “The bomb threat turned out to be a dud, defused by the creativity and solidarity of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. In the spirit of its namesake Bayard Rustin, the center engaged in some truly angelic troublemaking. Like a pretty pied piper, Carrie Dragshaw led the crowd to a nearby stoop and held the Drag Queen Story Hour as planned. The center’s quick, calm, and caring approach was impressive; the kids thought the walk down the block was all part of the fun. I was proud to stand openly in support of love and inclusivity while hate hid in the shadows.”
On Friday, September 1 from 8 to 10 a.m., the BRCSJ will be hosting their First Friday Welcomin’ the Community Breakfast, urging community members to join them “to show significant support at this tender time and to stand together in strength and solidarity in the face of adversity.”
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