THE Progress Pride flag pole in front of Delta City Hall was cut down by a vandal early Wednesday morning.
Delta Mayor George V. Harvie said: “I am incredibly disturbed and disappointed by the actions of the vandal who tore down our Progress Pride flag pole in front of City Hall earlier this morning. Hate has no place in our community and I will not tolerate it. Delta Council and I stand firmer than ever with our LGBTQ2S+ community and are proud of the beautiful Pride rainbow banners that continue to stand strong all across Delta. Love will always win over hate.”
The Delta Police Department are currently investigating the matter.
Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord said: “The Pride flag is more than a symbol for the LGBTQ2S+ community – it represents a desire for everyone to be treated equally, regardless of sexuality, race, gender identity, religion, or any other label. The Delta Police Department is actively investigating this incident to pursue charges. In the meantime, the Pride flag continues to fly at Delta Police headquarters, and we stand with the LGBTQ2S+ community.”
On June 1, Harvie was joined by the Delta Pride Society and Sher Vancouver to raise the Progress Pride Flag for the first time, marking the fourth consecutive year that a ceremony has taken place to raise the flag in support of the LGBTQ2S+ community and Pride Month.
Rainbow street banners were also put in place across the City in consultation with the Delta Pride Society and the Mayor’s Task Force on Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism. The banners incorporate both the Rainbow Pride flag, and Progress Pride flag which includes transgender and BIPOC representation. The banners also feature four words – Acceptance, Courage, Love, Pride – which reflect the lived experiences of Delta’s LGBTQ2S+ community, the City said in a press release.