Pride flags torn down and burned in front of Seattle restaurant
Jun 16, 2022, 11:16 AM
Photo from KIRO 7
For the second time this week, vandals have taken deliberate steps to tear down and deface rainbow pride flags. The latest victim is Taqueria Cantina in Downtown Seattle.
On Wednesday, June 15 in the early morning, surveillance video shows one man overturning and smashing patio furniture, slashing the restaurant’s sign, tearing the front gate off its hinges, and ripping off and burning Pride flags out front.
This is not the only incident this week. Saturday, June 11, at least 2 vandals tore down about 75 rainbow Pride flags lining the streets of downtown Burien.
Theft of Burien’s Pride flags prompts police investigation
While Seattle Police Department is not calling the vandalism a hate crime yet, restaurant owners co-owners Daniel Ceballos and Saul Munoz worry that they were victims of hate and homophobia.
“(The suspect) could’ve just pulled the (Pride) flags, but the fact that they burned them – to me that says a lot,” said Munoz on KIRO Newsradio.
Despite opening during the pandemic, the restaurant has recovered with business getting better and better before the events of Wednesday morning.
However, Ceballos and Munoz say they are persistent and more prideful than before the attacks.
Taqueria Cantina is still set to host their Red Carpet Drag Brunch June 26 during the Seattle Pride Parade, despite the vandalism.
