NSC-131 group faces charges for disrupting drag queen story hour

he complaint alleges that Hood and the other men stood outside the café and for over an hour shouted homophobic slurs and phrases. (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - The New Hampshire Department of Justice's Civil Rights Unit has begun an enforcement action against the Nationalist Social Club-131 ("NSC-131") and one of its principal, Christopher Hood along with 19 "John Does" for violating the state's anti-discrimination law.

The civil complaint alleges that on June 18, Hood led a group of 19 NSC-131 members in an attempt to coerce the Teatotaller Café of Concord to cancel a planned drag queen story hour event and to terrorize the café into refusing performers access to its venue. The complaint alleges the group did this for no other reason than the sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity of those performers.

The complaint alleges that Hood and the other men stood outside the café and for over an hour shouted homophobic slurs and phrases, loudly chanting and saluting in a fashion reminiscent of Nazi Germany. The complaint alleges that the men, led by Hood, banged on the café's glass windows, and made intimidating gestures and comments directed at the performer and those in the café.

"Acts of hate designed to terrorize an individual or business into violating our State's anti-discrimination laws are simply wrong and will not be tolerated," said Attorney General John M. Formella. "The Department of Justice will continue to enforce the state's anti-discrimination laws to the greatest extent possible to ensure that people of all backgrounds can live free from discrimination, fear, and intimidation because of who they are. We must and will send a clear message that New Hampshire is not and never will be a safe haven for hate groups that commit illegal acts that harm our citizens."

The complaint alleges that NSC-131 is an unincorporated association with members in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and other New England states. As an unincorporated association, NSC-131 can be charged with violating the Law Against Discrimination. The complaints allege that at least 20 members of NSC-131, including Hood, participated in the violation of the Law Against Discrimination and that NSC-131, as an unincorporated association, can therefore be liable for violating the Law Against Discrimination.

A violation of the Law Against Discrimination can lead to an administrative fine of $10,000. Violations of the Law Against Discrimination also empower the court to take necessary steps to ensure that future unlawful acts of discrimination do not occur.

The Civil Rights Unit enforces state civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act and the New Hampshire Law Against Discrimination. Anyone who believes their civil rights have been violated may file a complaint at https://www.doj.nh.gov/civil-rights/index.htm or by calling 603-271-3650.