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Police Search for Woman Who Torched a Pride Flag Outside NYC Restuarant
Police Search for Woman Who Torched a Pride Flag Outside NYC Restuarant
Authorities said that they are investigating the fire as a possible hate crime.
Authorities in New York City are looking for a woman who was seen on surveillance video catching a Pride flag on fire in front of the Little prince restaurant in Manhattan.
Police said in a statement that they are investigating the fire as a possible hate crime.
Video posted online Monday showed a woman getting out of a white vehicle, approach the flag flying in front of the restaurant, which read “Make America Gay Again,” and set it ablaze with what looks to be a lighter.
No one was injured in the fire, according to police, but the front of the building did suffer damage.
“This incident is being investigated by the NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force,” authorities said in a statement.
The Advocate has reached out to the Little Prince for comment.
After the arson attack, gay New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher went to Little Prince and put up a new flag. He’d posted video of the attack hours earlier. Bottcher represents parts of Manhattan.
“The person who did this, the plan has backfired and backfired badly,” he told a small crowd and reporters as he hung up the new flag.
\u201cThe morning after a bigot set fire to the pride flag outside Little Prince restaurant in SoHo, we raised a new flag.\n\nOur community will not be intimidated.\u201d— NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher (@NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher) 1676912665
“New York will not allow blatant acts of hate against our communities,” New York State Attorney General Letitia James wrote on Twitter. “Anyone with information about the individual that committed this crime should contact [the NYPD] immediately.”
\u201cNew York will not allow blatant acts of hate against our communities.\n\nAnyone with information about the individual that committed this crime should contact @NYPDnews immediately.\n\n800-577-TIPS\u201d— NY AG James (@NY AG James) 1676922499
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also send tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.
Related: Gay Club Torched by Suspected Arsonist in New York City
