Rainbow crosswalks in North Battleford and town vandalized

He said the RCMP doesn’t want to encourage any acts of vandalism anywhere.

Think twice

“We want safe communites for everyone,” Stephens said. “We ask anyone thinking of doing any kind of crime or mischief to property they think twice and not do it, and try and keep our city and town as safe and as clean as possible.”

Kelly Waters, on the 2018 Battlefords Pride Week organizing committee, said she was especially disappointed the North Battleford rainbow crosswalk on 100 St. and 12 Ave. didn’t make it 24 hours before it was vandalized.

Volunteers spent four hours painting the crosswalk Sunday morning and by Monday morning black tire marks could be seen marring its multi-coloured stripes.

“We knew that could happen because it has happened in other places, and people were threatening [to damage it],” Waters said.

She hoped the new rainbow crosswalk in N.B. could stay intact for a few days at least. Waters said the supporters won’t give up however, and will get back to work painting over the damaged areas of the crosswalks in N.B. and Battleford. The paint was donated for both projects.

Waters said most people had a positive response to the rainbow-coloured sidewalk.

“They thought it looked beautiful, and that it was about time we had a rainbow crosswalk here,” she said. “There is more acceptance for diversity, more inclusiveness, and more tolerance, but not just tolerance, more understanding.”

The local LGBTQ Pride Week events will take place from Aug. 20 to 26 in the Battlefords, with a parade planned for Aug. 25 in North Battleford.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Rainbow crosswalks in North Battleford and town vandalized

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