By Rob Drinkwater/The Canadian Press

Third Pride flag to be raised in Taber after second flag burned

Jun 26, 2017 | 5:41 AM

TABER — Organizers of Taber’s first Pride event say they’ll raise a third rainbow flag after the first was stolen and the one they replaced it with was burned.

Jillian Demontigny of the Taber Equality Alliance says her group was notified Sunday, June 25 that a police officer noticed damage to the flag and scorch marks up the flagpole while driving past Confederation Park.

Demontigny says they’ve been told gasoline was used to light the pole on fire, partially melting the flag.

She says the group raised their original flag on June 12 when they held the town’s first Pride party in the park, and it was supposed to continue flying until the end of the month.

But she says that flag was stolen, so they raised another one in its place.

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Demontigny says police have been helpful and will review surveillance video that may have captured the burning.

“They’re taking it very seriously. They’ve been very supportive and the town is ready for us to raise it a third time,” Demontigny said Sunday.

Earlier this month, vandals in nearby Lethbridge defaced a rainbow crosswalk that was put in place to mark the city’s Pride festival.

Police say manure and tar had been spread on the crosswalk.

Demontigny said the Taber Equality Alliance obtained permission in March from the town’s council to use the flagpole in the park after being denied use of the ones in front of the town hall. But she said even the vote by council to let them use the park flagpole was close.

She said the group marched in the town’s annual Cornfest parade last August without incident, and held its Pride party and flag-raising without disruption on June 12th.

The flag burning has saddened members, but has also given them purpose.

“We are feeling very bold and determined and trying to figure out how we can make our contribution to the Cornfest parade from our group even better this year than what we had originally planned,” Demontigny said.

The Taber Police Service couldn’t immediately be reached for comment on Sunday.

Demontigny said the police now have possession of the burned flag.

Their third Pride flag will be raised Monday, June 26 at 5:30. 

UPDATE: The Taber Police have issued a statement on the incident. It is included in full below.

During the early morning of June 24, 2017 culprits used accelerants to light a flag pole on fire that caused the Pride Flag to burn.

During patrols, Taber Police officers noticed a town employee standing near the Pride Flag that was being flown in the Centennial Park in Taber.  It was obvious something was wrong.  An investigation commenced and it was determined that a small portion of the flag was located burned at the base of the pole.  Although the Pride Flag was still flying, it was also damaged.  A forensic examination took place and it has been determined that an accelerant was applied to the pole and the lit on fire.  Once lit, the pole acted as a wick and caught the flag on fire, a portion of the flag melted and fell to the ground.

Taber Police have spoken with the Taber Equality Alliance and have offered victims services and supports. 

Police are continuing to investigate this arson and mischief. 

“This act of arson is a public safety concern, and is not taken lightly by the Taber Police. This type of activity in not in keeping with the values of the community and we denounce this crime.  We know exactly what occurred.  Community members committed this arson and it will take the community to solve it.  Anyone with information regarding this arson is asked to contact the Taber Police.” Said Graham Abela, Chief of Police

The Town of Taber also issuing a statement about the flag burning Monday, saying they are “disappointed” by the vandals, and are working with the Taber Police Service on their investigation.

“The actions of a few people does not represent the community of Taber as a whole, and the Town of Taber condemns the actions of the individual or individuals who have committed this crime,” the statement reads. “The Town stands for equality, inclusion, and respect for all citizens, no matter their backgrounds or beliefs.”

The flag will be flown until the end of the month. The town says that any attempts to vandalize, remove or destroy the flag will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.