Police: Pride flag found burned on lawn of Rye home

Police say a pride flag was found burned on the lawn of a home in Rye Saturday morning.

News 12 Staff

Aug 16, 2020, 3:17 PM

Updated 1,348 days ago

Share:

Police say a pride flag was found burned on the lawn of a home in Rye Saturday morning.

While police are still investigating, the executive director of The LOFT LGBT Community Center says it appears to have been a hate crime.

"The burning of a pride flag is without a doubt a hate crime. It's not only damaging personal property, but it's damaging -- it's yet more damage to our community and the belief that everybody is entitled to equality," says Judy Troilo, with The LOFT.

The flag was purchased through the Rye 'pRYEde Community Group' who, in conjunction with Rye High School's Gay Straight Alliance, sold the flags for a few weeks in May.

While the initial response to the incident was shock and anger, pRYEde Community Group co-founder Dr. Genevieve Weber says the community has since taken a more proactive approach.
"So, now we have shifted into this action-oriented space and we have reopened our flag store, and we have already sold over a dozen," says Weber. "We've had a few hundred dollars in donations from families in town and a lot of, 'How can we get involved?'"

The Westchester County Human Rights Commission wants residents to contact them if they were a victim of a hate crime or witnessed one. More information can be found on the website and Facebook page.


More from News 12
2:50
Traffic delays and road closures expected as Irvington set to host President Joe Biden today

Traffic delays and road closures expected as Irvington set to host President Joe Biden today

2:20
Sunny and pleasant today, freeze warnings overnight

Sunny and pleasant today, freeze warnings overnight

1:57
Schools in Westchester County announce early dismissals ahead of President Biden's visit

Schools in Westchester County announce early dismissals ahead of President Biden's visit

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:25
Dramatic video captures car fire in Nanuet

Dramatic video captures car fire in Nanuet

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:24
New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial

0:24
Breeze Airways expands services from Westchester County Airport

Breeze Airways expands services from Westchester County Airport

1:47
Saddle up for a western-style riding adventure at Hollow Brook Riding Academy!

Saddle up for a western-style riding adventure at Hollow Brook Riding Academy!

0:27
Oklahoma woman pleads guilty in fatal Newburgh drunk driving crash

Oklahoma woman pleads guilty in fatal Newburgh drunk driving crash

0:45
Yonkers officer faces charges in off-duty Bronxville accident

Yonkers officer faces charges in off-duty Bronxville accident

0:21
Dutchess County drivers awarded free cars after completing empowerment program

Dutchess County drivers awarded free cars after completing empowerment program

0:35
20 Hudson Valley public high schools among top 100 in New York state

20 Hudson Valley public high schools among top 100 in New York state

1:09
Headlines: Burglary guilty plea, illegal AR-15 possession, library larceny

Headlines: Burglary guilty plea, illegal AR-15 possession, library larceny

0:17
St. Barnabas High School marks 100 years of education at New Rochelle gala

St. Barnabas High School marks 100 years of education at New Rochelle gala

0:27
Manhattan College and Rockland Community College partnership allows seamless student transfers

Manhattan College and Rockland Community College partnership allows seamless student transfers

0:25
Orangeburg students crowned winners of entrepreneurship competition

Orangeburg students crowned winners of entrepreneurship competition

0:26
Luxury VIP experience coming to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

Luxury VIP experience coming to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

0:26
Westchester County DA candidate William Wagstaff secures spot on Democratic primary ballot

Westchester County DA candidate William Wagstaff secures spot on Democratic primary ballot

2:27
How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze

How to protect spring plants from frost and freeze