Rainbow Pride flags were snapped in half and left strew across the ground outside the Stonewall National Monument in Greenwich Village for the second year in a row.
The vandalized flags were discovered on Friday morning by Steven Love Menendez, a caretaker of the display at Christopher Park. He told Gay City News that three-quarters of the 250-flag display was destroyed or stolen.
“It’s disappointing because this is the eighth year of this installation and there was no vandalism in the first six years,” Menendez said. “Last year was the first time.”
Last year, Rainbow and Transgender flags were knocked to the ground on June 10. Multiple people were arrested and charged with a hate crime in connection with the incident.
Police say they are still investigating this year’s vandalism. It’s not the only incident on their plate. New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher posted a video Friday, saying pride decorations were burned on 22nd Street in Chelsea.
“Anyone who thinks this will intimidate our community is badly mistaken,” he wrote.
Last night, bigots vandalized the Stonewall National Monument, snapping flag sticks & stealing 3/4 of the flags around the permitter of the park. Also, someone burned Pride decorations at 22nd St. in Chelsea. Anyone who thinks this will intimidate our community is badly mistaken. pic.twitter.com/x6K033UXBL
— Erik Bottcher (@ebottcher) June 14, 2024
Representative Dan Goldman shared Bottcher’s video on X to voice his solidarity.
“As a community, we must push back against hate of any kind,” he said. “Hate against one is hate against all.”
The Stonewall Monument is a symbol of LGBTQIA+ pride, and the desecration of Pride decorations is unacceptable under any circumstances and especially hateful during Pride Month.
As a community, we must push back against hate of any kind.
Hate against one is hate against all. https://t.co/0i29YLJjwb
— Rep. Dan Goldman (@RepDanGoldman) June 14, 2024
New York State Attorney General Letitia James also spoke out about the attack, asking anyone with information to immediately contact the NYPD.
“This is disgusting,” she wrote. “In New York, we stand for love and acceptance, not hate and bigotry.”
This is disgusting.
In New York, we stand for love and acceptance, not hate and bigotry.
Anyone with information about this vandalism should contact @NYPDNews. https://t.co/XFuAwm0p7O
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) June 14, 2024
While the police work to investigate the vandalism, Stonewall wasted no time in returning the installation to its previous standing.
“The installation is already back up,” Menendez said.
