Hoboken’s “Banned Books Read-a-Thon,” scheduled for Saturday afternoon at the public library, is still on this weekend, despite a LibsofTikTok post condemning the event reaching over 630,000 people on Twitter.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“In celebration of Pride Month, Hoboken Public Library and the City of Hoboken invite you to Read Out Loud and Proud! Join us in Church Square Park on Saturday, June 17 as we read from books that have been “banned” across the country. All are welcome!,” the Hoboken Public Library tweeted on Monday.
The event begins with a “Drag Queen Story Hour” with Harmonica Sunbeam, with the Banned Book Read-a-Thon beginning at 11:30 a.m. and running until about 4 p.m.
That post has an astronomical reach of nearly 527,000 people as of Wednesday afternoon, unfortunately not for the reasons the city would’ve preferred.
LibsofTikTok, a popular Republican leaning Twitter account with 2.2 million followers run by Chaya Raichik, shared the event last night and came out hard against it.
“The Mayor of Hoboken, NJ & other elected officials are teaming up with a public library to offer a drag show and ‘banned books read-a-thon,'” Raichik wrote.
“Kids can win ‘banned books’ some of which teach about gay sex, promote kink and sex apps, and depict sex scenes[.] Your tax dollars at work!”
This has led to the original tweet from the library, as well as the most recent one from Mayor Ravi Bhalla, to be spammed with dozens of “groomer” comments in protest of the event.
Late this morning, the mayor put out a lengthy statement via a Nixle alert, accusing LibsofTikTok – without referring to them by name – of “purposefully spreading false information about a Pride month event scheduled to take place this Saturday.”
“These social media accounts have resulted in hundreds of hateful messages targeted at the Hoboken Library, and other participants of the event that are disgusting expressions of homophobia, racism, and intolerance. Let me be abundantly clear: the City of Hoboken is a fair and welcoming community, and these expressions of hate have absolutely no place here,” he wrote.
“The event on Saturday, a reading of books that have been unfortunately banned in states and cities all across the country, is an expression of our commitment to support and celebrate our LGBTQIA+ populations, among others.”
He continued that book bans are meant to marginalize LGBTQ communities and infringe upon the civil rights of all Americans.
“I am honored to be a part of the read-a-thon this Saturday, where I will personally be reading ‘A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo,’ and other residents and dignitaries will be reading additional age-appropriate books,” he concluded.
“I know that the vast majority of our community will stand against these oppressive comments, and in support of the excellent work of the Hoboken Public Library. I know in Hoboken, love will always overcome hate, and I am fully confident this event on Saturday will be no different.”
Other elected officials scheduled to read include Council President Emily Jabbour, 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, and Hudson County Commissioner Chair Anthony Romano (D-5).
In response to the Nixle alert, Raichik, via the LibsofTikTok account, accused Bhalla of making defamatory remarks.
“JUST IN: @RaviBhalla – Mayor of Hoboken, NJ put out a statement accusing me of spreading false information after I simply shared screenshots from @hobokenlibrary’s account and described the event they themselves advertised together with screenshots of the books they advertised,” she wrote.
“.@RaviBhalla needs to tell me exactly which part was false because this is defamatory.”
Hoboken Library Board of Directors President Jerome Abernathy said that the books being read do not include any instances of sexual acts.
“Our programming reflects the values of our community. When parents bring our kids to a story time, regardless who’s reading, they’ve made an informed choice. Again, all the programming at the library reflects the values of our community,” he said over the phone.
He also said he was extremely proud of the library employees, board members, and city officials who made this event possible, noting that they will be moving forward as planned, without any changes whatsoever.
The five “banned” books being raffled off from Little City Books are “This Books is Gay,” “Gender Queer,” “The Bluest Eye,” “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” and “they, she, he easy as ABC.”
1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco, the city’s first openly gay elected municipal official, seconded the notion that the books being read do not contain any sexually explicit material.
“Suppressing individuals and their identities has created generations of repression and trauma for the LGBTQ+ community. Banning books that highlight the struggles and triumphs of queer people is important to the future generations and their happiness,” he said in a statement.
“It is essential that we provide our community with opportunities to learn and understand the diverse experiences of others. I stand with the Hoboken Public Library and its commitment to fostering understanding and acceptance Education is key in dispelling misconceptions and fostering empathy among individuals. The banned book reading event represents a powerful platform to facilitate dialogue and encourage a more inclusive future for all.”
Jabbour added that she is proud to participate in the event and will be reading “Stella Brings the Family,” a kindergarten through 2nd grade picture book about a young girl, her two dads, and the true meaning of family, she explained.
“It is stunning to read the mischaracterizations of an event that is meant to bring to light the disturbing trend of book banning that is seeking to silence the voices of the LGBTQ+ community,” she said.
“Thank you to Jennie Pu and the Hoboken Public Library for your leadership and celebration of our library as a sacred and protected space for free and creative thought – especially in Hoboken, which proudly stands as a fair and welcoming community. I support Drag Queen Story Hour, I support my LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors, and I take seriously my role as an elected official to protect the queer community in Hoboken and beyond.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from Hoboken Council President Emily Jabbour.
Ravi won’t dare say a word about Chaya Raichik. He can jump up and down and yell while promoting grooming indoctrination of little children but he’s exposed, nationally. All LibsOfTikTok does is expose others by showing what their actions in their own words. Ravi will continue to promote a grooming book about homosexual rabbits aimed at little kids. Gross.
You don’t have kids. You date your hand. Give it a rest and let actual parents figure out how to raise their kids
Hoboken parent who does not think well of others sexualizing children. Stay away from our kids. You don’t have any right to show sex cartoons or indoctrinate my children with your neopedo ideology.
Pretending to be a mom doesn’t change anything, incel. Stay in your hermits-only lane. Let actual parents make decisions for their kids. You can focus on the end of the world.
https://www.facebook.com/roman.brice/posts/pfbid0Tm3Ye5gd8fXaqRL8qNsbwsvwREJ9ZGpWXUa5JdkHfHSJP16z3BLj2g99qpqiV5djl
You don’t speak for me, parents or anyone but your sick self. Leave kids and animals alone, degenerate backer!
https://twitter.com/MailOnline/status/1669296852699627522
You’re a mess. First pretending to be a mom, then combing the far right daily caller for dog-sex jo material. Sad. Get a hobby.
shut up you hate filled loser…
Support of pornographic book material distributed to children. Ravi and co. are promoting this. This is what was highlighted and shared by LibsOfTikTok:
https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1668757664535552000/photo/1
Does anyone have a list of the books they are reading? Is it banned books like To Kill a Mockingbird or 1984?
The sex cartoon instruction manuals for children are being seen and Ravi’s deflection and attack isn’t going over well. The ratio is continuing.
https://twitter.com/RaviBhalla/status/1669073392870326279
RAVI IS PURE EVIL, SACRIFICING OUR KIDS UNDER THE FALSE IDOLS OF “INCLUSIVITY” AND “DIVERSITY.”
I PRAY TO SEE HIS KIDS AND THOSE OF HIS PUPPETS JABBOUR AND COHEN IN THE FRONT ROW LEARNING HOW TO WEAR BINDERS AND PERFORM ORAL SEX ON EACH OTHER.
IN THE MEANTIME, HOBOKEN IS INFESTED WITH RATS AND THE HOMELESS POPULATION ARE SETTING UP CAMP.
HE AND HIS SOROS-BACKED TEAM NEED TO GO!!!
Frankly, I am more in favor of banning Christine Johnson than the book passages being read on Saturday. Ms. Johnson lied to this community, and by association the children she is charged with educating, for more than seven years. If we want to be clear and consistent about our values – let’s begin by removing her from office.
The Hoboken Library is exposed pushing pornographic cartoons for children. Public isn’t taking a liking to it. They censored further comments. The ratio:
https://twitter.com/hobokenlibrary/status/1668347992313589760