Colorado man arrested for hateful vandalism of rainbow flags near NYC Stonewall Inn during Pride Month

NEW YORK — A Colorado man accused of tearing down LGBTQ rainbow flags by New York City’s historic Stonewall Inn during Pride Month was arrested Monday on charges of Police said it was part of a pattern of attacks in the region.

Cops charged Patrick Murphy, 25, of Denver, with criminal mischief as a hate crime in the June 10 vandalism near the National Monument in the West Village.

Murphy and his fellow hate preachers, who were joined by two others, allegedly tore down several rainbow colored flags displayed on the fence next to the house. Stonewall National Monument in Christopher Park on Christopher Street before fleeing east on Waverly Place.

The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force asked for the public’s help in tracking down another man who tore down several transgender flags days later on June 15, again at about 3 a.m., in the park where the 1969 NYPD raid sparked the gay rights movement.

In a third incident, which the police are investigating, several people tore down flags in the park around 8 am on June 18.

Attacks on LGBTQ Americans have risen along with the rise of hateful and divisive political rhetoric and legislation introduced by GOP-dominated legislatures that roll back their rights, particularly affecting transgender youth, according to the Anti-Defamation League and the Anti-Defamation League. Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Known as Saeed.

The groups recorded 356 similar incidents between June 2022 and April 2023, according to a June report.

at recent days Fatal shooting of a clothing store owner near San Bernardino, California.by a man who made derogatory remarks about the store’s pride flag, sparking anger and fear.

extreme legislation Southern states’ criminalization of gender-affirming Medicare — which has been available for decades — has affected about 90% of transgender youth in the South, according to Campaign for Southern Equality Medicare has also been partially restricted for transgender adults in Florida and Missouri.

In Florida, teachers were prohibited from discussing gender identity and sexual orientation at all grade levels. Tens of thousands of high school students are expected to be affected by lesson plan restrictions that prevent AP psychology teachers from Discuss the influence of gender and sexuality On development and socialization.

Murphy was awaiting his appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday. His lawyer could not be reached for comment.

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