Police in Orange County will be present for an upcoming
children’s event at a bookstore.
Montgomery town and village police issued a joint statement Monday
night urging people to stay home who do not have a valid ticket for Drag Queen
Story Hour with Cookie Doe at the MBE Children’s Chapter on Factory Street in
Montgomery.
The sold-out event has been under intense scrutiny from
critics for days, some of whom have reached out to News 12 upset.
Police say parents attending and bringing their children are
voluntarily choosing to attend. They ask the public to respect the privacy and
choices of participants.
News 12 has a call out to the bookstore for comment. The
business seemingly addressed some of the controversy on its Facebook page
saying that it is a store, not a day care.
Authorities also acknowledge plans for a protest at the
event, and remind the public that anyone trespassing on private property or
interfering with traffic, and refusing to cooperate with police will be
arrested.
They say protesters will be
allowed to peacefully gather on a public sidewalk nearby on Ward Street.