Another incident of hate has sparked conversation in our community.
Last week, the Progress Pride flag pole outside city hall in Ladner was cut down in the middle of the night.
Surveillance cameras picked up footage of the dark dressed suspect, but he or she, managed to avoid being identified in the cameras, so Delta Police have little information to go on.
It is not the first time that Pride flags have been vandalized in the community. On several occasions last year, the flag hung outside Ladner United Church was targeted. No suspects or arrests have been made in those vandalisms either.
It’s very sad that some people have chosen to spread hate instead of love, respect, community and acceptance. There is no place for this in our community or any community for that matter.
In response, Delta city officials, alongside Delta firefighters and Delta police officers, hung an even larger Progress Pride flag from a fire ladder truck last Thursday morning.
June is Pride Month and all month long, the City of Delta have been proudly flying the Progress Pride flag as well as rainbow street banners.
The banners incorporate both the Rainbow Pride flag and Progress Pride flag, the latter of which includes transgender and BIPOC representation. The banners also feature four words - Acceptance, Courage, Love, Pride – all sentiments that everyone should be behind.
I applaud the City of Delta and all their community partners for showing this unwavering support.
To those responsible for these disgusting acts of vandalism, know this, your hate will not be tolerated. And if you knock us down, this community will just come back bigger, prouder and louder to show our support for the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Spread love, not hate. It’s a pretty simple message.
