Somerville library shut after domestic terrorist called in bomb threat shortly before the start of a drag-queen story hour

Somebody called in a bomb threat to the Somerville central library on Highland Avenue shortly before 2 p.m - the scheduled start of a drag-queen story hour, which was then cancelled as police combed the building for a bomb that didn't exist.

In addition to Somerville officers, the Cambridge bomb squad responded - and then left shortly after 3 p.m. after no bomb was found. The Somerville Fire Department was called in as a precaution and the building was cleared.

Outside, chanting right-wingers, one carrying a large blue-stripe flag, were significantly outnumbered by story-hour supporters.

Somerville City Council President Ben Ewen-Campen wrote tonight:

I am beyond outraged that a Somerville drag story time today had to be cancelled because of a bomb threat called into the public library. Bigoted right-wing cowards are stooping to new lows every day but we’ll never let them steal our joy.