‘Drag Story Hour’ bomb threats against New Jersey libraries under investigation

Bomb threats against several New Jersey libraries before the start of a Drag Story Hour to commemorate Pride are under investigation.

“The Office of the Attorney General is aware that several libraries in Montclair were the targets of bomb threats Sunday afternoon,” Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s office said in a statement on Monday. “The threats coincided with a ‘Drag Story Hour’ at the library’s main branch, part of a schedule of events to mark Pride Month .”

“Bias incidents are an affront to our values that honor the rich diversity of cultures, religions and ideals,” the prosecutors’ office continued. “Hate and violence have no place in New Jersey, especially the kind that makes people feel unsafe or threatened for who they are.”

The threat came around 4 p.m. via email to the main library’s supervisor, shortly before a reading for children ages 3-8 was scheduled to begin, according to NJ.com .

The note reportedly claimed bombs had been placed in that facility , located at 50 South Fullerton, as well as the First Congregational Church next door and a second library at 185 Bellevue Avenue. Both the church and the Bellevue Avenue Library were closed Sunday, Montclair Local reported.

In response to the threat, the main library was evacuated and searched, but no explosives were found , according to News 12.

The threat is currently being investigated as a bias incident by local authorities and counterterrorism officials, the Montclair Police Department said Monday .

Sunday was the last day of 2024 Pride Month celebrating the LGBTQ community.