A Brooklyn library received a bomb threat Saturday shortly before it was to host a group of drag queens reading books to kids — causing the event being moved to a nearby coffee shop.
A staffer at the Cortelyou branch of Brooklyn Public Library at 1305 Cortelyou Road confirmed it received the bomb threat right before the nonprofit Drag Story Hour NYC was set to begin its 11 a.m. reading, adding that “for the time being we are OK” before hanging up on a reporter.
NYPD later confirmed that an email threat was sent to the branch from an unknown source in Buffalo alleging an explosive device was supposed to go off inside the site at 11:30 a.m.
A male caller also phoned 911 about the threat, authorities added.
The NYPD’s canine and emergency services units briefly evacuated the branch and did a search but found nothing suspicious.
The drag queens moved their event to a Connecticut Muffin coffee shop a block away after convincing staffers there to help. About seven children and parents attended.
“It’s a shame, and it’s something that’s extremely dangerous,” fumed a parent of a 2-year-old girl who sat in on the reading.
“These are children, and children just want to hear stories … It’s a shame how somebody just ruined it and threatened violence.”
Another parent, Dayna Sedillo-Hamman, claimed this was the second time she attended a Drag Story Hour NYC reading in Brooklyn with her 1-year-old boy only to have it relocated because of a threat.
The previous time, she said, it was moved outdoors, which wasn’t an option with Saturday’s heavy rains.
“It’s just frustrating,” she said. “People are really small-minded.”
Drag Story Hour NYC has received more than $200,000 in city contracts since 2018, according to records — prompting outcry from critics of the kiddie sessions.
State Attorney General Letitia James sponsored a “Drag Story Hour” in March that drew a massive crowd of roughly 40 protesters and more than 100 supporters.
James’ event at The Center, an LGBTQA community facility on West 13th Street in Greenwich Village, drew fire from critics who griped about using tax dollars to have drag performers read stories to children at various Big Apple locations.
Meanwhile, in Connecticut, police investigated a bomb threat made via email to the New Haven Pride Center on Saturday. Local cops got the message shortly before 12:30 p.m., which claimed the bomb would go off at 1 p.m., according to WFSB.
Police investigated the threat and briefly evacuated the area, but there was no sign of any bombs.
The center was supposed to host a “Pride Block Party,” which had already been postponed due to the weather.