Wiebold said the notes were "alarming" and "inappropriate" but do not constitute direct threats. In a news release Sunday, police said the targeted homes "all had flags or door mats supporting LGBTQ (people)" and that the notes "spoke in opposition of this support only and were not threatening in nature." All of the handwritten messages, which said "burn that gay flag," were reported Saturday.īoone police have not publicly identified the suspect in the incidents, pending approval of an arrest warrant by the county attorney, Chief John Wiebold told the Ames Tribune. Wiebold said the notes are "certainly harassment" but declined to provide further information on charges police are seeking. The Boone Police Department is investigating four reports of anti-LGBTQ notes taped to residents' front doors. “I think there’s no other way to look at it.Watch Video: LGBTQ’s fight for civil rights, explainedĮditor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Becky Ritland is the executive director of Iowa Safe Schools. “It’s a hate crime,” Riitano said of the flag burning. Riitano noted the flag burning comes just days after that service where so many showed support for the LGBT community. Rose in response to the Orlando massacre. Riitano, through her position at the council, led a packed interfaith service at the College of St. It’s so shocking - we’re not even out of the shadow of Orlando yet.” “This is such a violation, the burning of the flag.
“The Damien Center is a safe place for people with HIV and AIDS,” Council Executive Director Deb Riitano said. He hopes to have the replacement up Friday.Īlso housed in the church is the Capital Area Council of Churches.
As word spread Thursday, Junjulas said they received two separate donations of replacement flags. Someone who got a closer look then alerted him to the vandalism. Junjulas said he noticed the flag from afar Thursday morning. They are asking anyone with information to contact police at 462-8039. Police said they believe that someone burned the flag sometime between 7 p.m. Police have stepped up patrols around the center, Junjulas said. He noted that the burning came just over a week after the Orlando Pulse nightclub massacre that killed 49 people. Junjulas, a married gay man living with AIDS himself, heads the center that serves about 400 people living with HIV and AIDS each year. He said it appears that whoever burned the flag deliberately burned each color on the rainbow flag, also referred to as the gay pride flag. Junjulas on Thursday evening said the center couldn’t be silent about the incident. Schenectady also has a Damien Center under the umbrella of the Albany site.
The center provides services to those affected by HIV/AIDS and their families. The center moved in temporarily after a 2013 building fire at its previous location. The Albany Damien Center is housed in the First Lutheran Church. The post quickly gained notice online, garnering more than 500 shares and more than 160 comments within four hours of posting.