Four Georgia teenagers could face up to 13 years in prison for vandalizing gay pride flags that had been posted in Atlanta. The teens destroyed the flags on a gay pride crosswalk in the midtown section of the city.
“They’re in the middle of the street popping wheelies, tearing up flags,” a man said in a 911 call that police released.
Police said they are searching for two additional suspects who used knives to slash several rainbow-colored flags at Blakes on the Park.
“The Atlanta Police Department is committed to protecting all members of our community and upholding the values of respect, safety, and inclusion,” police said in a statement.
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The teens were charged with charged with obstruction, criminal damage to property, conspiracy and prowling. And they could face hate crime charges, too.
All four of those arrested could face additional charges under Georgia’s hate crime law, pending the outcome of the investigation, the authorities said. The group coordinated the act and traveled into the city from northwest Atlanta, police said.
“As far as it being labeled a hate crime, that’s still under investigation,” Atlanta police Sgt. Brandon Hayes said at a Tuesday news conference. “We’re still looking at all avenues as far as how that charge will possibly come about.”
Under a hate crime law in Georgia, passed in June 2020, crimes motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity can lead to enhanced penalties. A misdemeanor offense can carry an additional six to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000; felonies can result in two to 12 more years behind bars.
The great irony is that while it is a hate crime to desecrate a gay pride flag, it’s legal to desecrate the U.S. flag. Had the boys slashed and burned Old Glory they would not have faced a single criminal charge.
The story has generated national attention with coverage in The New York Times and NBC News and wall-to-wall coverage in the Atlanta media.
City of Atlanta chief equity officer Candace Stanciel told WABE the incident was “the antithesis of who we are as a community.”
“Our Rainbow Crosswalk is a symbol for inclusion and freedom, giving the LGBTQ+ community a tangible place for fellowship, celebration and a sense of belonging,” she said in a statement on Tuesday. “Anyone who tries to disrupt these ideals or spread hate of any kind will be held accountable.”
Atlanta Pride condemned the flag desecration in a statement to Fox 5:
Atlanta Pride condemns the vandalism of Pride flags outside Blake’s on the Park, a long-standing LGBTQ+ establishment in Midtown. This was a targeted act intended to harm and intimidate our community.
As we prepare to celebrate 55 years of Atlanta Pride this October, under the theme “Rooted in Resistance,” we remain focused on safety, visibility, and solidarity. Incidents like this remind us that the fight for dignity, equality, and respect continues.
We are grateful to the community member who reported the incident and to the Atlanta Police Department for their swift response. We support full accountability for those responsible. In today’s world, it is more important than ever to reach across differences and help others understand who we are. We want to see love and respect for the LGBTQ+ community — and we know that starts with extending those same values outward. Atlanta Pride invites the individuals involved and others seeking to learn to attend this year’s Festival and experience the strength, diversity, and humanity of our community.
We will always stand strong together.
It’s against the law to vandalize private property and these four knuckleheads should be held accountable for their early morning stupidity. But does it rise to the level of a hate crime? Most instances of vandalism are treated as misdemeanors – punishable by either a fine or probation or both.
The boys should absolutely be punished for their actions, but in this instance it appears the LGBT mob wants to destroy their lives. No justice, no mercy, off with their heads!
That’s the rule of law in a nation where the gay pride flag supercedes the U.S. flag.
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