Monash City Council cancelled a drag queen story time event after threats of violence against families, the performer, councillors and staff escalated to include intimidation from neo-Nazis following a tense protest at its offices.
and Reignite Democracy Australia, rallied supporters to attend. The groups espouse views often associated with alt-right or conspiracy-theory thinking and can be hostile to the LGBTQ community.
Monash chief executive Dr Andi Diamond said the decision to scratch the event was made in consultation with Victoria Police. “We understood this [event] was not for everyone and scheduled it outside our regular library programs so that parents planning to bring their children were making a deliberate choice to attend. Unfortunately, some in the community were not willing to allow that choice.”
He criticised the state government for not providing with the support needed to proceed with the event safely and said not enough had been done to combat the threat of far-right extremism.“I think the state government has essentially failed to take these growing threats seriously, and we now find ourselves in a position where local democracy is extremely vulnerable,” Fergeus said.
“This is hate speech, plain and simple,” he said. “It’s out of step with the values of fair-minded, decent Victorians. It’s on the fringe.”the US and UKDr Kaz Ross, who researches far-right extremism and conspiracy groups, said the decision to scrap the event was “completely the wrong move”.
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