Pride flag torn from Palo Alto church investigated as hate crime, police say

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Wednesday, May 17, 2023
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PALO ALTO, Calif. (KGO) -- Palo Alto police say a pride flag that was torn down from a church is being investigated as a hate crime.

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Police received the vandalism report on Tuesday from the First Lutheran Church at 600 Homer Avenue.

MORE: Community gathers after Pacifica school's pride flag burned, as hate crimes rise across CA

A vigil was held at Sunset Ridge Elementary School in Pacifica Tuesday after a suspect stole a pride flag from the school grounds, leaving it burned.

They say the flag was mounted to the outside of the church and was torn down sometime between May 7 and May 11 by an unknown suspect.

The flag was left on the ground and the wall was damaged.

Police say they do not have any information on the suspect yet.

Anyone with information can call the police dispatch center at (650) 329-2413 or email anonymous tips to paloalto@tipnow.org.