(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Vandals have removed and burned pride flags and decorations at a church on Chicago's Southwest Side.
Reverend Allen Harden of the Beverly Unitarian Church said that the church will be extending this year’s observation of Pride Month through all of July.
“Our response to somebody saying that they don't like that we have pride decorations on our church, will be to carry them on longer. We think this is a statement the community needs to hear.”
Vandals destroyed the LGBTQIA+ Pride flags and decorations in front of the church near 103rd and Longwood during the overnight hours of this past Sunday, June 9. The decorations were placed in a pile on the church’s property and then set on fire.
Rev. Harden said that such attacks are frustrating but also a reminder of the church's mission.
“It's not unknown and it's not welcome. But then again, one of the reasons we stand up and do things very openly is to make it, you know, a pronouncement to the community that we support these people and we do it with the awareness that that's not universal.
“And so I'm not fully surprised that there was a reaction that was negative.”
The church has notified police of the incident.
On June 30, the church will rededicate their flag and their commitment to stand by LGBTQ+ rights.
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