The Daily Beast reports:
Gay New York City council member Erik Bottcher has told The Daily Beast that Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD have offered “any and all support and protection” after his apartment building was besieged by anti-Drag Queen Story Hour protesters, and the sidewalk defaced with hateful, homophobic slurs directed against him, including “OK Groomer,” “Child Predator,” and Erik Boccher (sic) Is a Pedo Child Groomer!”
“The mayor came here to my home last night personally,” Bottcher told The Daily Beast Tuesday. “He and the NYPD are offering any and all support and protection that I need. I’ve declined having a car parked out front. But I know that is an option that is open to me if I need it. The mayor told me he and his entire administration are standing with me. The support from people generally has been overwhelming and absolutely heartening.”
Read the full article. Two women were arrested after breaking into Bottcher’s apartment building. Early reports apparently misidentified the women as part of the “Gays Against Groomers” hate group.
Video of the Drag Story Hour protesters physically attacking one of my neighbors last night. pic.twitter.com/sqoGc8dWyZ
— NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) December 20, 2022
We are unmasking the hatred that exists right here in New York City. This is one of the voicemails I received before they came to my home on Monday. I didn’t hear this until after the fact. pic.twitter.com/NJYkeBXbGU
— NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) December 21, 2022
I want to let everyone know that the NYPD has been incredible throughout this entire ordeal, especially 10th Precinct Captain Robert Gault, MTS Precinct Inspector Robert W. O’Hare, and NYPD LGBTQ Liaison Ana Arboleda. My staff and I are safe and protected.
— NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) December 21, 2022
This is what the anti-Drag Story Hour mob subjected my staff to at our office, before they vandalized the hallway.
This is not okay. pic.twitter.com/cHhjmkfD2f
— NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) December 20, 2022
This is outrageous. Completely outrageous.
Erik, you stand up for our city every single day and these cowardly bigots have no place here.
Thank you to the NYPD for your quick work and sending the message that this hate will not go unchallenged. https://t.co/o6SlUzikHc
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) December 20, 2022
Per NYPD, the two arrested at CM Erik Bottcher’s home yesterday are 44-year old Erica Sanchez (L) and 27-year old D’Anna Morgan (R).
Both are members of “Guardians of Divinity,” a group motivated by and which espouses far right propaganda. pic.twitter.com/UXeORTitk1
— Talia Jane ❤️? (@taliaotg) December 20, 2022
Through November, the group focused on stumping for Zeldin. They showed up to a GOTV event at Stonewall and documented themselves accosting participants (not protesting). Security physically blocked them during an altercation, which was presented by Oren Levy as assault. https://t.co/jG1kGcHyO2
— Talia Jane ❤️? (@taliaotg) December 20, 2022