LOUISVILLE, Colo. – A man in Louisville was cited for allegedly removing pride flags that were placed near a busy intersection. The flags were part of a pride month display organized by city leaders and Out Boulder County.
"Louisville is an inclusive town and we’re trying to celebrate," said Ashley Stolzmann, the mayor of Louisville. "We want this year to be extra special and filled with joy so we did an installation of flags at this intersection.”
Fred Wilkins, 74, was issued a municipal citation for theft after he reportedly removed the rainbow-colored flags, the Louisville police chief confirmed with Denver7 Thursday.
The chief said a driver who witnessed the incident sent pictures of the man’s license plate and that’s how police were able to find him. The driver also said a Confederate battle flag was also placed in an area where several of the pride flags had been removed, but he could not confirm that Wilkins was the one who placed the flag there.
The pride flags were placed at the intersection of McCaslin Boulevard and West Cherry Street as recently as Tuesday, June 1, which marked the beginning of Pride Month. According to a report from Louisville Police, the incident happened around 2:00 p.m. on June 2.
"It’s hurtful to see someone come and destroy something that is a marker, a flag of love and kindness and belonging. To see it as something that needs to be destroyed, it hurts," said Mardi Moorey, Out Boulder County Executive Director.
Pride Month commemorates the LGBT+ liberation movement sparked by the Stonewall riots in New York City in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969.
The month focuses on the contributions the LGBT+ community has had on our nation’s history.
