‘Unacceptable’: Pacific Labour MP condemns violent drag storytime protest

A Pacific Labour MP from Māngere has expressed strong concern over a recent violent protest that disrupted a children’s reading session in West Auckland.

Alleged members of Destiny Church reportedly forced their way into a drag king storytime at the Te Atatū Library last Saturday, pushing staff and causing 30 attendees to lock themselves inside for safety.

Pacific advocates have criticised the actions of the protesters, who were previously involved in disrupting two Auckland Pride events.

In an interview on Pacific Mornings with William Terite, Lemauga Lydia Sosene describes the protesters’ behaviour as “unacceptable”.

“There is no place for that type of behaviour, particularly when you are threatening citizens,” Sosene says.”

She emphasises the importance of inclusivity and respect among diverse faiths and cultures.

“We all belong to different faiths and religions. In my doctrine, in my Ekalesia - God is love. So, if you're promoting one message, but you're actually acting out another message, that gives very mixed vibes.”

She questioned Destiny Church’s motives, saying, “I don't understand what Destiny is promoting. All I can say is the behaviour that those young men display - that is unacceptable.”

Watch Lemauga Lydia Sosene’s full interview below.

‘We are citizens in a peaceful society’

Pacific leaders have condemned the protesters for undermining the purpose of libraries, which are meant to be non-secular, inclusive, and safe community hubs.

The Auckland Council also denounced the protest, labelling the situation as “ugly, outrageous, and unacceptable”.

Reflecting on her upbringing in a “conservative” family, Sosene shared her parents’ belief that while people may not always agree, they do not have the right to threaten one another.

She says her parents adopted their oldest sibling, who was part of the rainbow community, emphasising the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals over the years.

“Back in the 70s, there were a lot of unacceptable or misunderstandings. Our rainbow family member passed away last year at the tender age of 75, so it has been very difficult. We are citizens in a peaceful society and that's what we have to promote.”

Auckland Pride Parade. Photo/Auckland Pride Facebook

‘Alarm bells for the Government’

Sosene also addressed socio-economic issues affecting her electorate, especially in the Auckland region, where communities in Māngere struggle with rising living costs and job market uncertainty.

She says the drop in the Official Cash Rate (OCR) is good for homeowners, as falling interest rates give people “a bit more money in their pockets”.

But she’s concerned about the challenges residents face in Māngere, saying, “People in Māngere, people in Auckland, South Auckland, are really feeling it.

“When we've got a mass exodus of New Zealanders leaving our shores, the economic downturn, the jobless, the homelessness - Those are all things that are going the wrong way.

“When you've got a number of people leaving the country because they don't get jobs, that needs to be alarm bells for the government of the day.”