Vandalism temporarily closes Pride Center of Vermont

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vandalism closed the Pleasure Heart of Vermont on Tuesday. The glass door to the Burlington area was discovered shattered by staff at about 7:30 a.m.

Police say surveillance video from simply after midnight confirmed an individual throwing two objects on the door after which strolling away.

Performing Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad mentioned the vandalism is being investigated as a potential hate crime.

Mike Bensel, the manager director of the Pleasure Heart, mentioned the vandalism is not going to cease the nonprofit from serving the group and making certain Vermont stays an LGBTQ+ affirming state.

“We’re nonetheless going to be right here, we’re going to interchange the door, we’re going to attempt to guarantee that our middle is a secure area for LGBTQ+ of us to come back to. It’s a secure place to work, it’s a secure place for the group to make use of and entry sources,” Bensel mentioned.

Mayor Miro Weinberger, D-Burlington, mentioned in an announcement Tuesday afternoon that the town is dedicated to combating hate and discrimination.

This isn’t the primary time the Pleasure Heart has been focused. A reported risk towards staffers in 2019 quickly shut down the middle. Simply days after that incident, posters linked to white supremacists had been discovered affixed to the Pleasure Heart’s door.

Associated Tales:

Officers: No crime to prosecute in white supremacist banners

Burlington police examine white supremacist vandalism

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