Bay Area drag queen Panda Dulce was co-hosting a children’s reading event to celebrate Pride Month when the unthinkable suddenly happened. “Eight to ten proud boys came in with their cameras burning, pointing at me, laughing from behind,” Dulce said. A group of men believed to be linked to the far-right extremist group Proud Boys stormed the event. RELATED: “They came in riots”: Members of a white supremacist group arrested near the Idaho Pride event, police say They made white gestures with force as they began to launch homophobic and transphobic insults at Dulce. “They said who brought the crunchy. He is a beautician. He is a pedophile. Why do you bring your children to this event,” Dulce said. Dulce was then escorted by security away from the men and law enforcement was called. Alameda County Sheriff’s Office says they are investigating the incident and have activated their hate crime protocols. Yesterday, a group of Proud Boys stormed a children’s story event in San Lorenzo. It was held by the Bay Area Public Library and drag area queen Panda Dulce. I sat down with Panda tonight to talk about the experience and will share the story tonight at 11 at @ abc7newsbayarea pic.twitter.com/L8GTUupLwn – Tim Johns (@tim_johns_) June 13, 2022 We blurred some of the videos to hide white plates and also offensive clothes. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident and has launched a “hate crime report.” @ abc7newsbayarea – Tim Johns (@tim_johns_) June 13, 2022 While this is a consolation for Dulce, she is concerned that such incidents are being organized and escalated. It calls on all those who oppose extremism. RELATED: Who are the Proud Boys? Trump’s debate strengthens the far-right group “I think now is the time to unite and unite as a united front,” Dulce said. Not only for her, but also for the children. Dulce, who is educated in the Ivy League and has more than a decade of experience in social work, says many of them were terrified. “I do not want to hurt you. I just want to tell you a story. That was it. I just want to tell you a story,” Dulce said. The event has been closely monitored by both local leaders and the San Lorenzo Library. “I really believe libraries are places where everyone is welcome. We are open to any member of our community and we can not succumb to or be intimidated by such threats. We are not going to support that,” said Alameda County librarian. Cindy Chadwick. And while he’s staying, it’s the mark on Dulce, “A lot of people ask me, do you feel safe? Are you okay? And the answer is no, I do not. I do not feel safe at home,” he said. RELATED: New indictment for Proud Boys leader for alleged January 6th insurgent conspiracy She is determined not to be a victim. Dulce says she is not going anywhere and is determined to never let fear and intimidation stop her from doing the things she loves. “They managed to scare us, but they were not successful in their ultimate goal of making us leave because of their own discomfort with the diversity of our world. They failed in that,” Dulce said. If you’re using the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live Copyright © 2022 KGO-TV. All rights reserved.
