Three Washington State teenagers are facing felony charges after they left scooter marks on a gay pride mural that had been painted onto the pavement. A “no-ride zone” has been created around the mural.
Eyewitnesses said four young people rode scooters over the roadway mural and left behind skid marks.
“I am deeply troubled by the repeated defacement of Spokane’s Pride flag mural'” said Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown. “To the LGBTQ+ community, please know that I stand in solidarity with you against all forms of discrimination and prejudice.”
At least three teenagers have been arrested and charged with felonies. They could face several years in prison. Prosecutors had wanted the judge to impose a $15,000 bond.
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“We’re not going to sit by as people deliberately commit a hate crime,” one eyewitness told local reporters.
Last month vandals set fire to the roadway artwork.
“These are my fellow citizens that live here,” Spokane City Council president Betsy Wilkerson said at a press conference. “I know it was called vandalism, but it was hate.”
The company that owns the scooters issued a statement condemning the “brazen” act of riding a scooter on a roadway.
“All of us at Lime condemn these vile acts in no uncertain terms. At a time when our teams at Lime are beginning pride celebrations around the globe, it is disturbing to see the hate taking place in Spokane. Lime is taking immediate action against the perpetrators and doubling down on our support of Spokane Pride and Spokane Arts. Lime is proud to put time and resources into celebrating Pride Month each year and supporting LGBTQ+ organizations working to uplift and protect queer people in cities around the world. We will not let the hateful few spoil the joy of Pride Month in Spokane, and are grateful for those working to make Spokane more welcoming for all.”
Lime Scooters
In addition, Lime is also immediately instituting a no-ride zone around the mural to protect it from any future vandalism attempts, the television station reports.
I have often said that gay pride murals painted on roadways are intentional traps and that heterosexual people should avoid walking across LGBT-themed crosswalks. And straight motorists should consider finding other routes into the office to avoid leaving tread marks on the rainbow road murals.
BREAKING: On Wednesday night, just a few hours after Spokane repainted the LGBTQ+ Pride Mural, three teens left scooter marks there…
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Ruslan Turko (19) and 2 other underage teenagers, were arrested for 1st degree "malicious mischief", a FELONY that is punishable by up to 10… pic.twitter.com/qWM3TVGMKX