This latest campaign is part of a trend of online right-wing attacks against LGBTQ+ books and events for children that have sometimes led to threats and violence. The American Federation of Teachers in 2018 posted about a “heavily-spliced” Project Veritas video that misrepresented the union’s response to an accusation of teacher misconduct. Targets of previous Project Veritas undercover video projects have included educators and teachers unions. He is asked to leave by a parent volunteer. O’Keefe then asks parents if they’re aware the school is “giving sex toys to children” in a voice loud enough for nearby elementary school-age students to hear. Bruno walks away from O’Keefe and his cameraman. Project Veritas posted a second video showing founder James O’Keefe attempting to confront Bruno on Wednesday afternoon on Parker’s campus. #ExposeGroomers trended Thursday on Twitter, and Fox News picked up the story in the morning. The video, which had been viewed more than 4 million times as of Thursday afternoon, has made its way around right-wing media accounts and news sites. The video does not mention that both events were optional. Bruno also mentioned a storytime and photo-op with a drag queen. During an optional lunchtime session for high schoolers, educators from Howard Brown Health presented a lesson on queer sexual health that included showing sex toys to students. In the video, Bruno described an event during the school’s annual Pride Week last May. The operative recorded himself talking to Joseph Bruno, Parker’s dean of students. The video footage was captured by an operative disguised as an attendee at the National Association of Independent Schools conference last week. Project Veritas, the New York-based right-wing organization that made the video, claims on its website that it is “creating an army of guerilla journalists.” Its operatives assume fake identities and secretly record conversations, often attempting to shame or discredit progressive organizations and media outlets, including NPR. At least one person marched in front of the school on Thursday to protest the school’s sex ed curriculum. The school said the local alderman helped it expand the police presence around its Lincoln Park campus, and it has implemented higher security measures.
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