Hundreds rally in defense of children at Talcott Library

Back in mid-June, we heard from a concerned Rockton grandmother whose daughter and granddaughter are regular visitors to Talcott Library in Rockton that the library was planning an in-person "Drag Q&A" event. This event would be similar to other "Drag Queen Story Hours" held around the country in recent years. These events, which specifically target children, are replete with vulgarity, including nudity and sexual innuendos and jokes. They are part of the drive to "normalize" pedophilia. Why in the world would a publicly funded library in small town Illinois want to subject children to this?

​​Shortly thereafter, we alerted our supporters. They, along with an overwhelming amount of Rockton residents, began bombarding the library with calls and emails. We then quickly ordered 275 signs and 3 large banners and planned huge protests at the library. We also contacted local political officials and library board members.

​Then, on Monday, June 26, several hundred residents of Rockton and the surrounding areas gathered both inside and outside the library board meeting, where a vote on the event was to take place. The group outside prayed six Rosaries, sang hymns, and peacefully but firmly showed the city officials that drag did not belong in a library, especially where children would be present. It was a beautiful evening, as we begged for God’s mercy and intervention in our community. Inside, several Rockton residents expressed to the board their disgust and reasons why the event should be canceled. However, the night ended on a sad note, as the library board cowardly voted to allow the event to go on.

​​But at that point God intervened and heard our prayers. A few days later, we received word that the library leadership had decided to CANCEL the in-person event! According to the library, this was due to the huge crowds expected during the event, which would create "an unmanageable situation for our very small downtown area." In other words, the library canceled the event due to public pressure and specifically, public protest in the streets. It was one more example that peaceful and prayerful protest WORKS!

​​That being said, we knew we had to continue plans to protest on the day itself, since having a virtual event is still an event. However, as recent history has shown, a virtual event is not the same as an in-person event. In the words of the one of the pro-drag organizers in Rockton, moving to a virtual event “defeat[ed] the entire purpose of the event.” So we added an element of celebration and thanksgiving to God to our rally planning!

​The events of the past few weeks culminated today, July 14, when hundreds of concerned citizens prayed and rallied in downtown Rockton again in defense of the innocence of children. We also celebrated the victory that God granted our community with the cancelation of the in-person drag event. Several speakers, including a local Catholic priest and a Lutheran pastor, delivered inspiring words and led us in prayer. We had two bagpipers, a local church choir, and about 200 joyful and hopeful people, both young and old.

​In the middle of the chaos we see around us, particularly as life and the family are attacked on all sides, today we are thankful to God for the graces He has mercifully granted our community. In particular, we are thankful for the ability to freely protest abominations like the drag event in Rockton. Our emails, calls, and above all presence in peaceful protest led to the cancelation of the in-person event.

​Furthermore, may this be a message to any libraries in the Rockford area: if you even think about hosting an event aimed at grooming children, you can be sure that we will use every peaceful and legal means to get the event canceled. Thankfully, Rockford is blessed with a vibrant pro-life and pro-family community that is willing to go out and stand up, to stop these horrible events from happening.

​May God bless all those that participated, and may God grant us the grace to never stop fighting for His truth, particularly in the defense of life and the family.