In an act of intolerance and hatred, a person set fire to a Pride flag outside of a restaurant in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. The incident, which occurred early Monday morning at The Little Prince restaurant, has sparked a rallying cry against hate in the community.
The targeted Pride flag bore the playful slogan “Make America Gay Again.” Surveillance footage captured the culprit, who is believed to have been triggered by the phrase, igniting the flag with a lighter before fleeing in a white SUV.
Due to the fire, the apartments above the restaurant had to be temporarily evacuated. Fortunately, no one was injured, although there was some property damage, including cracked windows.
Councilmember Erik Bottcher, condemning the act as a hate crime, expressed his solidarity with the affected business by overseeing the installation of a larger Pride flag in its place. “Our resolve is only strengthened when acts like this happen,” said Bottcher. “We are standing up in the face of this hate and reasserting our pride in ourselves and our community. That’s why we hung the flag again.”
The owner of The Little Prince revealed that this was not the first time the Pride flag had been stolen, but the community’s response to this spiteful act has been overwhelmingly supportive.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of standing together against hate and discrimination. Acts like these only further strengthen the determination to create a more inclusive and accepting society.
The NYPD is currently searching for the suspect involved in burning the Pride flag. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline or submit tips anonymously online.
At Abstract Education, we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and respected. We support the LGBTQ+ community and stand against any form of discrimination or hatred. Together, let’s create a world where love and acceptance prevail.
