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Armed Demonstrators Protest Drag Storytime in Columbus

Demonstrators protested in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday morning, December 3, in opposition to a drag artist holiday storytelling event that was scheduled by a local school.

Red Oak Community School cancelled the event, intended to feature three drag performers reading stories to children, on Saturday morning due to a planned appearance from the Proud Boys.

Video filmed by Brendan Gutenschwager shows protesters marching in the streets of Columbus, many with their faces obscured by identical face coverings, and some wearing tactical gear and carrying guns.

Protesters chanted “life, liberty, victory” and “reclaim America,” among other slogans. Two protesters are seen in the footage giving a Nazi salute.

The Patriot Front said its members were at the demonstration.

Counter-protesters were seen were seen holding rainbow and transgender flags. Credit: Brendan Gutenschwager via Storyful

Video transcript

- (CHANTING) We will not comply. We will not comply. We will not comply.

[CROWD SHOUTING INAUDIBLY]

- [SHOUTING]

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

- Our main things, there's no violence of any type.

[CROWD CHANTING]

- (SHOUTING) Life, liberty, victory!

CROWD: (CHANTING) Life, liberty, victory!

[INCOHERENT CHANTING]

ALL: Life, liberty, victory!

- Do you guys get along with the proud boys?

- Life, liberty, victory!

ALL: Life, liberty, victory!

- If you guys can get co-mingle and get along, that's fantastic. If you need your own quote-unquote safe space, if you need your own space--

- Can we just go--

ALL: [INCOHERENT CHANTING]

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

ALL: Life!

- For the liberty of our people.

ALL: Liberty!

- For the victory of the American spirit.

- Victory!

- Go back to the field [INAUDIBLE].

- Some of us [INAUDIBLE].

- Life, liberty, victory!

ALL: Life, liberty, victory!

- Life, liberty, victory!

ALL: Life, liberty, victory!

[SIREN]

- Reclaim America!

ALL: Reclaim America!

- Reclaim America!

ALL: Reclaim America!

[SIREN]

ALL: Life, liberty, victory!

- Life, liberty, victory!

ALL: Life, liberty, victory!

- Life, liberty, victory!

ALL: Life, liberty, victory! (SHOUTING) Or death.

- Victory.

ALL: Or death.

[DISTANT LOUDSPEAKER]

- Strong families.

ALL: Strong nation.

- Strong families.

ALL: Strong nation.

[SIRENS]

- I'm so disappointed, and I wish I knew.

[SIRENS CONTINUE]

- Which side are you on, my people. which side are you on? Which side are you on, my people.

[CHANTING INCOHERENTLY]

[MUFFLED LOUDSPEAKER]

ALL: Reclaim America.

[CAR HORN HONKS]

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

- Reclaim America!

ALL: Reclaim America!

- Reclaim America!

ALL: Reclaim America!

- Reclaim America!

ALL: Reclaim America!