Right-wing protesters and counter-demonstrators clash over drag queen story hour at London pub which says there is no such event (though they did hold one last year)
- Turning Point UK organised protest at The Great Exhibition pub, East Dulwich
- Counter protest by Stand up to Racism South London took place with supporters
Right-wing protesters and counter-protesters clashed over a ‘non-existent’ drag queen story hour event at a London pub.
Turning Point UK had organised a demonstration at The Great Exhibition pub in East Dulwich for 11am today, publicising their plans on Twitter with the message ‘groom dogs, not kids’.
Actor Laurence Fox was present at the rally, after writing on Twitter yesterday: ‘I am speaking tomorrow, not because I oppose drag queens (looks like a blast) but I do object to the fetishists who wish to sexualise our kids.
‘I hope to speak to those who disagree with me, and I hope concerned parents turn up. Free speech is the the right to disagree.’
According to reports, the protest was in response to an out of date listing on the pub’s website from last year – and no drag queen story telling event was planned to take place today.
A counter protest by Stand up to Racism South London took place with supporters and pro LGBT+ activists.
The rally organised by right wing group Turning Point UK on March 10 in London
Counter protesters demonstrated outside the Great Exhibition pub in Dulwich
A spokesperson for CLIP, which hosted a Drag Storytime event at the pub last July told BBC London that the venue’s website was still showing the event as running monthly because the listings had not been updated.
But they said they had stopped drag storytime events after ‘safeguarding’ concerns.
Around 150 people were outside the pub, and Met Police officers were also at the scene.
A statement from The Great Exhibition pub released earlier in the week said: ‘The team at the Great Exhibition is proud to serve the amazing community of East Dulwich. We are here to ensure that your local pub is at all times a safe, warm and fun place to visit and that everyone is always made to feel welcome.
‘It has been brought to our attention that a group calling themselves Turning Point UK are intending to carry out a protest at the Great Exhibition on Friday 10th March at 11am.
‘They appear to be opposing our Drag Storytime event for the under 5s, an event that took place in July 2022.
‘Whilst the event was a huge success last year and brought great joy to parents and children alike, there is no event booked at the Great Exhibition next Friday, nor has there ever been.
‘However, we remain committed to offering events at this pub that are magical, fun, inclusive and appropriate.
Police said: ‘Officers were on scene to respond to any serious disruption, crime and disorder, and to keep the public safe’
Actor Laurence Fox, who was there today, tweeted ‘They are a strange bunch. But more power to them. Free speech and all that’
News pundit Calvin Robinson tweeted: ‘We’re protesting inappropriate drag queen story-time for children’
Protesters were separated by Met Police officers in attendance today
Turning Point UK had organised a demonstration at The Great Exhibition pub in East Dulwich for 11am today
‘We would like to assure all our customers that we are committed to comfort, safety and inclusivity at all times. Next Friday lunchtime is no exception. We thank you for your constant support of the Great Exhibition and for allowing us to make such a rich and varied contribution to community life in East Dulwich. We love you all.’
Turning Point UK tweeted this afternoon: ‘If as the left claim there was no drag queen event planned at the pub why did they turn up in such numbers?
‘What do they have to fear from letting us speak? Anyhow we were protesting the venue and raising awareness.’
A spokesman for the Met Police told MailOnline: ‘At 10:00hrs, the Met deployed to a demonstration outside the Great Exhibition Public House, Crystal Palace Road, East Dulwich.
‘Approximately 150 people have attended the event.
‘Officers were on scene to respond to any serious disruption, crime and disorder, and to keep the public safe.
‘There was minor disruption to traffic in the area and Crystal Palace Road from the junction with Underhill Road was temporarily closed.
‘As of 13:00hrs, the demonstrators had dispersed from Crystal Place Road and the Crystal Palace Road from the junction with Underhill Road has now reopened and the traffic flow has resumed as normal.’
The spokesman confirmed there were no arrests.
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