Man arrested in clash with cop, Drag Story Hour protesters at NYC public library
NEW YORK — A Manhattan man who tangled with anti-Drag Story Hour protesters at a Midtown library was arrested after a confrontation with a cop, police said Sunday.
Chase Catapano, 28, can be seen on video ripping a “Leave Our Kids Alone” sign out of the hands of one of the protesters at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library on Fifth Avenue at West 40th Street.
“You’re a f—ing disgrace, a f—ing disgrace,” he yells, video posted to Twitter shows.
Moments later, a plain-clothed cop can be seen putting a finger to Catapano’s chest. Catapano then hits the cop in the chest before the officer leads him away as protesters record Catapano with their phone and yell insults at him.
“You better watch who you’re touching, that’s an officer!” one protester yelled. “That’s an officer, fool!”
Cops say Catapano was visiting the library but not there for the drag event when he spontaneously got into the confrontation with the protesters.
Police charged Catapano, who cops say lists a Manhattan homeless shelter as his address, with obstructing governmental administration, attempted assault, menacing, disorderly conduct and harassment.
He was awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court Sunday.
A New York Public Library spokeswoman declined comment on the ugly incident.
The library was hosting a Bilingual Drag Story Hour event. Protesters from anti-LGBTQ groups, including the Proud Boys, harassment and threats of violence have led to similar family-oriented events being canceled across the nation.
In September, the Morrisania Library in the Bronx canceled a show starring drag artist Desmond Napoles after the teenage celebrity received hate-filled and violent threats, including one by an Instagram user who wrote, “I’m going to that library, I’m going with a bucked of dog s— and I’m pouring it on your parents and rubbing it into their eyes.”
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