The neo-fascist group threatened to show up at the NJ event. So everyone else did. And they didn’t.

FRANKLIN, NJ – It was a fundraiser event that was, according to its flyer, “part of a series celebrating femmes, trans, GNC, BIPOC, non-binary, women and allies. And when the neo-fascist Proud Boys threatened to come out to oppose the event, all that did was galvanize supporters even more. In the end the show featuring bands and artists from as far out as Baltimore went on without any problems with the Proud Boys not even bothering to show up.

A large crowd began packing the Muckracker Beermaker for the Roe Show an event put on by Damaris Lira and Camila DiResta, Democratic candidates for the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners who were seeking to promote diversity in the mostly White and Republican county and in an old mining town of 5,100 people. It was under the name of Fem Fest NJ, under which three other events have been held. Many came with their families – some even with pets – while antifascists from the New York/New Jersey area maintained security. In addition to the bands, trans advocate Simone the former Vice-President of Triversity Pride Center in Milford, PA spoke on the history of transgenderism as well has her own to the crowd.

The concern for the event was sparked by a since-deleted posting on the Telegram account of Proud Boys New Jersey that featured a picture of the flyer of the event alongside a graphic of the Proud Boys logo. Underneath, it read, “You don’t shut this down, We will show up!!” This was accompanied by other memes attacking the event as being supported by “groomers” and “baby murderers” – epithets commonly used by the right to falsely charge the LGBTQ+ community as dangerous to children – as well as a message shared from the Cape Fear Proud Boys Telegram account that featured a picture of a group of Proud Boys and the message, “If you don’t want to see us out in front of your establishment, don’t invite children to your drag show.” Many who attended said they came out because of the possible threat from the group who has attacked other LGBTQ+ events across the country in recent months.

Not only did the Proud Boys failed to appear, but curiously an article on a blog called the Jersey Conservative attempted to imply that it was Democrats who created a false flag threat by posing as Proud Boys. “Of course, there is no evidence that these so-called “Proud Boys” even exist – apart from some fake profiles on Facebook,” an article from the site read. “It might even be that these profiles belong to Democrats because it is certain that nobody other than the Democrats have heard of or from them.”

The Proud Boys New Jersey Telegram account was launched early 2021 and has 401 members. It lists an account on Truth Social that similarly lists the Telegram account on that platform. Last month, Shawn Price, a New Jersey Proud Boy pled guilty to charges stemming from his actions during the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Despite the Proud Boys not showing up, there was still cause for concern after one person parked across from the venue in his pickup truck with a placard supporting right wing candidates from Montgomery Township, an hour’s drive away. He was later identified as Ron Lazar of Belle Mead, NJ, a retiree who has participated in “Stop the Steal” and anti-mask rallies and also posted a graphic on his Facebook page announcing a rally against the Roe Show. Among those who liked the graphic was onetime Tea Party activist Bill Hayden who is currently running for a seat on the Sussex County Board of Commissioners as is Lira and DiResta, his Democratic counterparts.

Lazar, who has been seen participating in transphobic events earlier this year in Red Bank and Atlantic City, was approached by two attendees of the event who had a conversation with Lazar, who told one of them that he was staying neutral. A few minutes after the attendees went back inside, private security hired by the Muckraker spoke with Lazar who then left the area.

The event benefitted the Planned Parenthood Newton Health Center in Newton, NJ.