The Pride crosswalk in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has been hit by vandalism for the second time in less than three months.
The Pride crosswalk in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has been vandalized with spray paint for the second time in less than three months. The crosswalk is shown here on September 28, 2024 with ‘Paint It black’ spraypainted across the rainbow display. (Supplied)
In this case, someone wrote ‘Paint It Black’ across the rainbow colours of the ‘Progress Flag’ using black spray paint.
CTV News has not been able to confirm exactly when the vandalism occurred.
The previous incident involved the symbol being defaced with red spray paint. That occurred in early July after a series of both pro-Pride and anti-LGBTQ+ protests had happened at the crosswalk now located between East and Bay Streets.
The Pride crosswalk had been moved to the new location in late June after having been on display near the downtown library for about four years.
In July, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service said detectives were investigating the vandalism and had asked the public for assistance in identifying those responsible – police have not released if anyone was ever charged in that incident.
A newly painted ‘Progress Flag’ at at the crosswalk between Bay and Spring Street was defaced with spray paint on Tuesday. July 3, 2024. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)
CTV News has reached out to the city and Sault police for more information about the vandalism to the crosswalk but has yet to receive a response.
Check back to CTVNorthernOntario.ca for more information as it becomes available.
With files from CTV News Northern Ontario journalist Cory Nordstrom