Lang
3/24/23
An LGBTQ+ book is believed to be the reason behind the second bomb threat to Northwest Junior High School in as many days.
The school was once again evacuated Friday after another threat was received. Class resumed after police searched the building for the second day in a row, although parents were given the option of picking up their children and taking them home.
The school received a similar threat on Thursday. Investigators say a Twitter account called “Libs of TikTok” has been targeting the school regarding the alleged inclusion of the book “This Book is Gay” in the school’s library. The Twitter account claims the book promotes “gay sex” and the use of “sex apps”. The book is actually geared towards LGBTQ+ youth who are having difficulty coming out and being openly gay among other adolescents.
There is no indication if the book is actually in the Northwest Junior High library.
The Libs of TikTok account has targeted other schools nationwide about the book…some of which have received similar bomb threats. A Sioux City high school has already removed the book from its shelves.
Coralville Police note neither bomb threat made to Northwest Junior High included any direct references to the book. Police Chief Shane Kron told The Press-Citizen he does not believe the threats were related to “swatting” incidents earlier this week at other area schools.
The Washington Post reports the “Libs of TikTok” account is run by Brooklyn, New York, real estate agent Chaya Raichik.