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Guardians of Divinity

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Guardians of Divinity
Location
Key people
David Nieves

The Guardians of Divinity are a far-right group based in New York City.[1][2] The group originally started in opposition to vaccine and mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic before shifting their focus in 2022 to protesting in opposition to Drag Story Hour (DSH) events.

Activities

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The Guardians of Divinity started as an anti-vaccine and anti-mask mandate group during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][3] According to a 2023 Institute for Strategic Dialogue report, in about September 2022, the group began to focus on activism against Drag Story Hour (DSH) events, and "Since then, the group has orchestrated 21 anti-drag events (averaging 3 events a month), 16 of which have ended with verbal or physical clashes between Guardians of Divinity and either counter-protestors or event attendees."[4]: 11–12 

On social media, they claim Drag Story Hour events are "grooming" children,[5] and have used social media to promote content from groups such as Libs of TikTok and Gays Against Groomers, as well as QAnon conspiracy and COVID-19 vaccine disinformation.[4]: 12  Unicorn Riot reported the Guardians of Divinity website was hosted in an account managed by Paula Grooms, and the website was down after comment was requested, but Unicorn Riot found an archived version.[6] David Nieves, who also goes by "King Jesus", is a leading member.[5][6]

Independent reporter Talia Jane began posting about the group on Twitter in September 2022, and in January 2023 said the group had targeted ten DSH events in NYC.[3] According to The New York Times in December 2022, the group has "shown up at several Drag Story Hour events in Jackson Heights, Queens."[1]

On October 18, 2022, they disrupted a community forum hosted by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[1] On December 7, a group of about 20 anti-DSH protestors reportedly organized by Guardians of Divinity protested a bilingual DSH event at the Midtown New York Public Library.[7]

On December 29, a group estimated to include "more than two dozen members" of Proud Boys and Guardians of Divinity demonstrated outside of a DSH event at the Jackson Heights Library, and were counterprotested by an estimated 150 DSH supporters,[5] including Jews For Racial and Economic Justice.[3] Police worked to keep the protesters and counterprotesters on opposite sides of the street, and the DSH event in the library was not disrupted.[5]

On February 24, 2023, Nieves and another individual with a Guardians of Divinity sign were part of a small anti-DSH protest outside of the Jackson Heights branch of the Queens Public Library, which consisted of about six to ten anti-DSH protesters, and was met by about 100 counterprotesters outside who supported the DSH event in the library.[8][9]

Alex Stein, a Blaze TV host, promoted Nieves at one event.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Stack, Liam (20 December 2022). "Foes of Drag Queen Story Hours Invade New York Councilman's Home". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  2. ^ Stark-Miller, Ethan (3 February 2023). "Council members look to increase funding for Drag Story Hour, refuse to cower to far-right protesters". AM New York. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Henry, Jacob (6 January 2023). "These Jews are defending Drag Story Hour against far-right protestors. Here's why". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b Martiny, Clara; Lawrence, Sabine (2023). "A Year of Hate: Anti-Drag Mobilization Efforts Targeting LGBTQ+ People in the US" (PDF). Institute for Strategic Dialogue. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d Parry, Bill (30 December 2022). "Proud Boys protest drag story hour event at Jackson Heights Library – QNS.com". QNS. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b Panagi, Cristina; Plumb-Panas, Jaume (1 February 2023). "Jackson Heights NYC Drag Story Hour Draws Defenders, Homophobes". Unicorn Riot. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  7. ^ Muzafarr, Maroosha (12 December 2022). "Man arrested for attacking police officer during New York library's drag story time". The Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  8. ^ Warnock, Kathleen (25 February 2023). "Community stands up for Drag Story Hour in Jackson Heights". Gay City News. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  9. ^ Parry, Bill (24 February 2023). "Drag Story Hour supporters greatly outnumber protesters at Jackson Heights library event Friday – QNS.com". QNS. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Online Amplifiers of Anti-LGBTQ+ Extremism". www.adl.org. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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