New rainbow crosswalk vandalized in New Westminster

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      Soon after the City of New Westminster proudly painted a rainbow crosswalk at a downtown intersection, someone showed why such symbols of support for the LGBTQ communities are needed more than ever.

      The New Westminster Police Department posted the following statement a day after the crosswalk's unveiling:

      The New Westminster Police Department is investigating an act of mischief to the newly installed Pride crosswalk, located at Church Street and Columbia Street.  A 91 year old male was observed pouring white paint over the crosswalk.  Witnesses contacted the NWPD and the male was located a short distance away.  The 91 year old New Westminster resident is being investigated for mischief and was also taken to hospital for evaluation.  The incident is still under investigation at this time.

      New West councillor Patrick Johnstone posted pictures of the vandalism and clean-up on Twitter.

      Unveiled on Monday (July 27) ahead of this year's New West Pride Festival, the crosswalk is located at Church Street and Columbia Street in the downtown business district.

      "I think it’s really sad, but it highlights that there’s a reason we need to still be fighting for gay and lesbian rights," Mayor Jonathan Cote told the New Westminster Record. "There still is, unfortunately, some hatred out there and we still need to confront that issue. Having said that, I don’t believe this represents New Westminster. I spent all day receiving so many positive comments by email and on social media, and overwhelmingly heard great support from the community."

      Comments

      6 Comments

      He's 91 years old...

      Jul 28, 2015 at 1:51pm

      and you still have to call him 'a bigot'? Is that really necessary?

      Martin Dunphy

      Jul 28, 2015 at 1:59pm

      That was a New West city councillor who tweeted that. However, it doesn't change the facts.

      cathy

      Jul 29, 2015 at 12:43pm

      Doesn't matter that he is 91.
      This was a deliberate, thought out act of vandalism based on hate and intolerance not an uncontrolled outburst by someone in the grip of dementia.

      Let him be

      Jul 29, 2015 at 2:16pm

      Quietly let this go away. Time will take care of this very shortly...

      He'll be dead before it goes to trial

      Jul 29, 2015 at 4:16pm

      Tempest in a tea pot. If the 91 year-old is being evaluated in hospital, he's probably mentally incompetent or becoming so. Rather than being outraged, people should see it as part of the natural evolution of this piece of street art. It's not in a gallery and it will erode over time due to traffic, wind, water, sunlight, salt, sand, and dropped ice cream cones. Are people going to complain when someone walks over it?

      brandy

      Jul 31, 2015 at 3:24pm

      i am so pleased with the city of new west, well done! I love the rainbow sidewalk, and what it represents.

      I have seen too much hatred over this on FB, we need to end the hate.