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City police are investigating a bomb threat made over the weekend at the Mary J-L Black Library, which targeted a drag story time event.
Officers secured the scene and no credible threat was found, however in a statement police say incidents like these put pressure on resources and are disparaging to members of the community.
The statement adds while people do have the right to voice or demonstrate views which oppose inclusivity initiatives, but by breaking the law in the process they will be subject to criminal charges.
Meanwhile, The Rainbow Collective of Thunder Bay, Thunder Pride and Wiggins Productions, which was organizing the event, say they refuse to be intimidated and are calling out the weaponization of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities by politicians.
“This manipulation must cease immediately. Consider the irony of the “Parental Rights” movement, which calls in bomb threats against the very parents they claim to represent, simply for choosing to attend a community event featuring Drag Queens as performers and educators. This hypocrisy cannot be overlooked and demands urgent action.”
Both Pride organizations are asking the public to redouble their efforts to fight back against misinformation, disinformation and deeply concerning bigotry towards the community.
On April 11th a Community Conversation is set to be held with Police Chief Darcy Fleury and other members of the Thunder Bay Police Services leadership team to hear directly from Thunder Bay’s 2SLGBTQIA+ communities on safety, security and the escalating incidents of hate in the city.
