Erik Bottcher's Home Vandalized By Anti-LGBTQIA Protesters, 2 Arrested

WEST VILLAGE, NY — Anti-LGBTQIA protesters targeted West Village Council Member Erik Bottcher's Lower Manhattan home on Monday night after his involvement during a Drag Story Hour this weekend.

The protesters vandalized the sidewalk outside of his apartment building with messages of hate, and also broke into his building around 5 p.m., which led to two arrests, according to Bottcher and confirmed by police.

"Erik Boccher is a pedo child groomer," was written on the street in front of the elected official's home, pictures show.

Bronx resident Erica Sanchez, 44, and Queens resident Anna Morgan, 27, were arrested and charged with criminal trespassing for entering Bottcher's building, a police spokesperson told Patch.

"Tonight the Drag Story Hour protesters came to my apartment building and gained entry," Bottcher wrote in a tweet Monday night. "My super called the cops and two of them were arrested for trespassing. This is pure hate, unmasked. If they think this is going to intimidate us, they’re mistaken. Our resolve is strengthened."

Tonight the Drag Story Hour protesters came to my apartment building and gained entry. My super called the cops and two of them were arrested for trespassing. This is pure hate, unmasked. If they think this is going to intimidate us, they’re mistaken. Our resolve is strengthened. pic.twitter.com/i45eyGg1AS
— NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) December 20, 2022

Before the protesters arrived at Bottcher's home, the group also vandalized the elected official's district office, Bottcher said.

"Bitcher," was written multiple times on the office's wall, photos show.

Today people who call themselves “gays against groomers” vandalized the hallway outside our district office. We will not be cowed. We will not be silenced. We will continue to stand up against hate. pic.twitter.com/WaUEjhWc2Z
— NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) December 19, 2022

Bottcher said that the group responsible for the vandalism call themselves "Gays Against Groomers."

The term "grooming" has historically been used to attack and target the LGBTQIA+ community.

Bottcher also posted a video Tuesday morning of what he says was the Drag Story Hour protestors attacking one of his neighbors outside of their building on Monday night.

Video of the Drag Story Hour protesters physically attacking one of my neighbors last night. pic.twitter.com/sqoGc8dWyZ
— NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) December 20, 2022

Multiple prominent New York elected officials voiced their support Monday night for Bottcher, including Mayor Eric Adams and Congressman Jerry Nadler.

"This is outrageous," Adams tweeted. "Completely outrageous. Erik, you stand up for our city every single day and these cowardly bigots have no place here. Thank you to the NYPD for your quick work and sending the message that this hate will not go unchallenged."

Nadler wrote on Twitter that he stands with Bottcher, Drag Queen Story Hour, and the LGBTQ+ community, adding — "Elected officials have a responsibility to condemn this false, dangerous rhetoric that's being used as a new way to discriminate against the community."

The hateful events Monday night come two days after Bottcher participated in a Drag Story Hour for neurodiverse kids inside of a Chelsea library.

A group of protesters screamed, swore, and carried signs with language linked to hate speech outside of the New York Public Library on West 20th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues.

Bottcher documented what he called "the face of hate" among the protesters before walking into the library to take part in the reading.