Read-In Protest at Blasco Public Library on June 26

The Pennsylvania Equality Project held a Read-In at the Blasco Memorial Library in Erie, PA, between 5:30 and 7:00 PM, on Monday, June 26, 2023. The Read-In protested the library’s decision to remove the LGBTQ+ Pride Month display along with all other displays from the children’s section. Participants were advised at the Erie Pride Festival on Saturday, June 24, to make signs showing their support for the Pride display and keep them visible while at the library. At 5:30, 150 people read books silently while sitting in various seats in the library. Savannah Jakubowski, Pennsylvania Equality Project’s newest Board Member, ran the event and was quite pleased with the turnout. She said, "The goal of the Read-In is to have the displays restored and not removed in future years and to raise awareness for the LGBTQ+ community of the Greater Erie area."