'We don't scare that easy:' Performers in protested drag show describe the moment the power went out in Moore County
The power went out in Moore County less than an hour into a drag show that drew heated protests. But the show's headliner describes how the audience used cell phones to light the theater and continue the show.
Posted — UpdatedA targeted attack on the power grid has left most Duke Energy customers in Moore County without power -- likely for days.
The power went out less than an hour into a drag show in Southern Pines that drew threats and protests.
The power is still out at the Sunrise Theater in downtown, where the Downtown Divas sign is still on the marquee.
They say while the timing of the outage is suspicious, they're giving investigators time to figure out if there's a connection between their heavily-protested show and the attack on the power grid.
Saturday's drag performance drew a floodlight of attention from religious and alt-right protesters. A police line stood between those protesters, gathered on the steps of the train station, and the counter-protesters, supporting the show outside the theater with rainbow flags.
"This is nothing new to the queer community. We’ve been dealing with this for a very long time," said Naomi Dix, a drag performer who was part of Saturday's performance.
Shining a light in the dark
The theater went dark about 40 minutes into the show.
"Even though inside we may be terrified, we have to keep our calm so everyone around us feels safe," said Dix.
The show went on as a sing-along, with the crowd using cell phones to light the theater.
"To see that they didn’t care and they just wanted to be a part of it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen," said Dix.
WRAL obtained a copy of the permit for the anti-drag show protest and reached out to the organizer by phone.
Before hanging up he said: "The Lord was with us and He told us to stand up with Him, so we did."
"There’s been a lot of hate, and there’s been a lot of ugly, and I don’t want that to come from anyone who’s an ally or our friend," said Mathers.
Dix is turning the spotlight on the community that's going another night without power.
"I just want to make sure those who are living in Moore County right now are not being forgotten, because they are the true victims here and they are the ones suffering the most," said Dix.
"We don’t scare that easy, and we’re not going anywhere," said Mathers.
The Moore County Sheriff says investigators have not been able to tie the power outage to the opposition to the drag show.
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