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🪡: Another person in line ahead of our reporter is holding a copy of "Perks of Being a Wallflower", from Karen England's private collection.
As a reminder, this book features a protagonist who learns to deal with the trauma of being SAd by his aunt.
It's being passed off as "porn".
🪡: Another speaker brings up the point that all the church members go to the same church.
"If you want to control what happens in the library, build your own library".
🪡: We now have people reading from the books that Karen England provided.
A woman goes up to say that the things being said tonight are 'vile and evil', claiming that anybody laughing tonight is mocking abuse victims.
"What are you, if not evil?"
🪡: Another person begins to read from A Court of Mist and Fury", suggesting that this is the 🌽 in the library.
It's an adult romance novel.
An argument starts in the audience over this, and Burns knocks the gavel, giving a warning.
🪡: A woman goes up to read an excerpt of a novel with an adult sex scene. She claims it's in the children's section but neglects to actually tell the name of the book for anyone to fact check it.
🪡: More people read from Karen England's personal collection of books - again, none of these people are giving titles.
Brian Vea goes up to speak next - he's a notorious anti-LGBTQ activist. He says "If you're MAGA, you'll join me in voting No on A&B".
The politicization is clear as day.
🪡: Another frequent flyer says that body positivity has been hi-jacked to promote obesity. It's a strange foul ball in this space. We're not really sure what this has to do with the library.
He also advocates for a No on A&B.
🪡: The space is beginning to thin out somewhat, as folks on both sides are losing their stamina for the chaos.
Proud Boy Luke Dennis goes up... "The Marxist librarians are stealing our children's minds".
He says, "Vote no on A&B to protect our children from groomers, and uh.... pedophiles".
🪡: Dennis' girlfriend Valentina Bankhead goes up and claims that while a woman spoke about her assault, a librarian behind her suggested that the woman should just kill herself.
It's an outlandish story, and someone in the audience yells "citation needed".
🪡: A "No on A&B" family that was sitting behind our reporter left after the reading of A Court of Mist and Thorns, commenting as they left how it was so great that "TWO brown guys!" spoke on their side.
🪡: Another man says, "shame on (the council) for the demonization of the library".
He chastises them for the toxic conversation, saying, "should you be flushed with pride or just flushed out?"
🪡: Another resident, with an Australian accent calls the council out for not looking at speakers, asking them to look at her while she speaks. Only Gruel and McKeon actually look at her during the comments.
An audience member derisively yells out 'g'day' to mock her.
🪡: A speaker comments about how most of the books Karen England gave the Calvary Chapel crowd are about LGBTQ books.
Another talks about the experience and education of the librarians, and someone behind us says "..that's the problem"
🪡: Chris Rini goes up and calls out the fact the books being read are provided by Karen England, and that they're all books in the adult stacks of the library.
He also shames Chad for his bastardization of Christian scripture to promote his lies.
🪡: Another woman goes up to read another of Karen England's books right after - this is the book she's claiming is 'porn' in the children's library.
On either count, it's not.
🪡: Another woman goes up, calling out some of the members of the council for their attacks on constituents on social media. Pat Burns interrupts her, telling her that she can't do this, just like earlier in the day.
He argues with her, not letting her speak, and does not give her back her time.
🪡: To reiterate, this is a MASSIVE Brown Act violation. He is violating the Freedom of Speech and silencing his constituents who he disagrees with.
We'd recommend anyone experiencing this, in HB or elsewhere, to reach out to the
@aclu.org🪡: Another speaker goes so far as to say that authors are pedophilic and that there's a 'Satanic' influence. He goes on to reference the fall of Rome and says that boys are being prevented from becoming men.
🪡: Someone who is watching the recorded livestream of this meeting has informed us that, while we can't hear it here in person, Burns can be heard on the livestream mumbling and mocking speakers and community members.
When we have an opportunity to do so, we will work to go screen record these.
🪡: A speaker yells 'vote no, vote no on pedophilia!" to cheers.
Another says that while nobody seems to agree on what porn is, "nobody knows porn better than this city council" to laughter and applause. He calls them 'porn peddlers' and references their friendship with Matt Gaetz.
May 7, 2025 03:15🪡: We're 75 minutes into the meeting, and the audience has gone from fully packed (300 seats) to 50-60 seats filled.
To the council, a speaker says "YOU'RE the ones making it weird!"
🪡: Another speaker suggests that the book, "It's Perfectly Normal" is telling 10 year olds to 'choose a sexual lifestyle'.
The book is an educational book about puberty written by medical professionals that includes minor references to LGBTQ+ people.
🪡: Former council woman Natalie Moser goes to speak, and says, "beware of wolves in sheep's clothing" of the current council. She receives a long standing ovation while Chad Williams, Calvary Chapel pastor, leans back in his seat and laughs. Burns calls for a recess - the standing ovation continues.
