Drag queen mentorship program for kids organized by Canadian art collective draws criticism

A counter-protester shows her rainbow flag in front of Old Nick's Pub. About 50 protesters gathered in front of Old Nick's Pub in Eugene, Oregon, Sunday, October 23, to protest a drag queen storytime event inside the pub featuring an 11-year-old female drag performer. The protesters, who claimed the event promoted pedophia, were met by approximately 300 counter-protesters. The confrontation, which started about 10 a.m and lasted four hours, consisted mostly of loud arguments and verbal threats, but remained for the most part non-violent, although one protester was sprayed in the face with pepper spray by a counter-protester he threatened, a woman was later knocked to the ground in a scuffle, and as the protesters began to leave the area a counter-protester was knocked down and required medical attention. The protest ended with a rock-throwing melee. Inside the pub, the event proceeded as planned. Photo by Dan Morrison