Local government has little authority over the library system, but that didn’t stop supporters of Evansville city councilman Justin Elpers from thanking him for his remarks against an upcoming library program, Drag Queen Story Hour.
Back in December, Elpers took to Facebook to call the event reprehensible. He later shared a petition calling for the library to cancel the story hour, which will feature drag queens and drag kings reading books to children. The books are chosen by library staff.
Since then, supporters and opponents of the story hour have used local government meetings to voice their opinions.
Some took to the podium Monday to thank councilman Elpers in person, and at the end of the meeting, he thanked them in return.
"I have strong conviction," he said. " It doesn’t matter whether it’s about taxes or spending or this. I’m always going to stand up for what is right so again, thank you all for being here, I appreciate the support."
Before the meeting, a group of counter-protesters rallied in support of the story hour. But only two spoke during the comment period.
City council attorney Josh Claybourn told the public that city council has essentially no power over the library. The council does not appoint any members to its board of trustees, and the library has its own tax levy.
