City officials decry vandalism of Plaza Pride flag

Nicholas Gilmore, The Santa Fe New Mexican
Updated ·1 min read
2

Jun. 27—A symbol of LGBTQ+ pride on the Plaza was vandalized after a weekend of Pride celebrations in Santa Fe, drawing condemnation from city officials.

The rainbow flag on a Plaza walkway was found defaced with a chalk drawing of a cross and the phrase "Jesus saves."

The city had placed the pride flag on the sidewalk in front of the Plaza gazebo to commemorate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, celebrated throughout the country in June, according to a news release issued Monday.

Mayor Alan Webber condemned the graffiti in a statement, calling it a "slap in the face" to the many who participated in the Santa Fe Pride parade and other festivities Saturday.

"Pride was a joyful celebration of community and justice for all, and it was a celebration that showed Santa Fe at our best," Webber said. "In contrast this is a cowardly act of bias and bigotry that all of us should condemn."

City Councilor Signe Lindell also denounced the vandalism.

"I am saddened to see religion used to justify defacing the temporary pride flag on the plaza," Lindell said in a statement. "This kind of intolerance reminds us all of why that young person contemplating suicide needs public symbols of their acceptance in our community."