Hate crime investigation launched after LGBTQ+ flags vandalized
Palm Springs police are seeking public assistance in the investigation into the incident at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, while donations are being sought for additional security.
Seven flags at the Palm Springs Cultural Center were discovered torn down and discarded in a dumpster Monday morning, prompting police to investigate the incident as a potential hate crime.
Staff at the Cultural Center, located at 2300 East Baristo Rd., said their operations manager found the damaged flags during his morning inspection of the facility. The flags represented various segments of the LGBTQ+ community, including Lesbian, Gay Pride, Bisexual, Trans, and GenderQueer.
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Police removed the dumpster containing the flags as evidence, though remnants of the flags remained scattered on the ground. New flags were in place by Tuesday evening, courtesy of a donation by Bear Aware.
The flags were rehung during a community gathering that organizers said was meant to be “a powerful statement of resilience and unity” that shows “that while flags can be torn down, our spirit and support for one another remain unbreakable.”
“You can imagine the range of emotions we’re all going through right now,” said Tim Rains, marketing manager at the Cultural Center earlier Tuesday. “We have those cliche statements — you don’t think this is going to happen here. But that’s not the reality and that’s not the reality we’re sitting on today.”
A Palm Springs Police Department spokesperson said Tuesday that department is actively investigating the vandalism and has classified it as both a hate crime and an act of vandalism.
Authorities are requesting public assistance with the investigation and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Matt Steed at 760-323-8157 or via email at Matthew.Steed@palmspringsca.gov
In the meantime, the Cultural Center is hoping to raise money to fund not only new flags but also new security cameras to enhance safety at the front of the building. Donations can be made via this link.
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