Man arrested in conflict with cop, Drag Story Hour protesters at NYC public library

A Manhattan man who tangled with anti-Drag Story Hour protesters at a Midtown library was arrested after a confrontation with a cop, police mentioned Sunday.

Chase Catapano, 28, will be seen on video ripping a “Depart Our Children Alone” signal out of the palms of one of many protesters on the Stavros Niarchos Basis Library on Fifth Ave. at W. fortieth St.

“You’re a f—ing shame, a f—ing shame,” he yells, video posted to Twitter reveals.

Moments later, a plain-clothed cop will be seen placing a finger to Catapano’s chest. Catapano then hits the cop within the chest earlier than the officer leads him away as protesters document Catapano with their telephone and yell insults at him.

“You higher watch who you’re touching, that’s an officer!” one protester yelled. “That’s an officer, idiot!”

Cops say Catapano was visiting the library however not there for the drag occasion when he spontaneously acquired into the confrontation with the protesters.

Police charged Catapano, who cops say lists a Manhattan homeless shelter as his handle, with obstructing governmental administration, tried assault, menacing, disorderly conduct and harassment.

He was awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Prison Court docket Sunday.

A New York Public Library spokeswoman declined touch upon the ugly incident.

The library was internet hosting a Bilingual Drag Story Hour occasion. Protesters from anti-LGBTQ teams, together with the Proud Boys, harassment and threats of violence have led to comparable family-oriented occasions being cancelled throughout the nation.

In September, the Morrisania Library within the Bronx cancelled a present starring drag artist Desmond Napoles after the teenage movie star obtained hate-filled and violent threats, together with one by an Instagram consumer who wrote, “I’m going to that library, I’m going with a bucked of canine s–t and I’m pouring it in your dad and mom and rubbing it into their eyes.”