Subj : Arrest made following alleged K Rd rainbow crossing vandalism
To   : All
From : News
Date : Fri Apr 12 2024 11:32 am

A man has been arrested following the alleged vandalism of a rainbow
pedestrian crossing on Auckland's K Rd last month.


Police were treating the incident as a "hate crime" after white paint was
spread across the design depicting the LGBTTQIA+ flag around 3.20am.


Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Allan said "extensive inquiries" had been
ongoing since the incident on March 28.


"As a result of our inquiries, a 31-year-old Auckland man was arrested on
Wednesday evening," Allan said.


"He has since been charged in relation to this incident and is due to appear
in the Auckland District Court on Monday 15 April, 2024."


Police said the investigation remains ongoing and could not comment further
as the matter is now before the court.


Allan said several reports of information were "vital" in making the arrest,
and investigators continue to appeal for information from the public to
locate the three other people believed to be involved.


At the time, police released several images taken from CCTV footage in the
area, asking for help identifying the people involved.


A "distinctive" vehicle with high gloss grey or white colour, black roof
racks and mag wheels was also being sought by police and is yet to be found.


"At this stage, the vehicle of interest has also not yet been located and we
are continuing to make inquiries," Allan said.


The prominent rainbow pride symbol on K Rd was the second such crossing to be
vandalised, after Destiny Church protesters filmed themselves covering
Gisborne's Gladstone Rd crossing with white paint.


It was part of a staged protest against a Rainbow Storytime event being held
at the city's library, which saw five people arrested in connection to the
Gisborne incident.


'Undercurrent of hate' towards rainbow communities - Auckland Pride
The vandalism of the crossing on K Rd highlights an "undercurrent of hate"
towards the rainbow communities in New Zealand, said Auckland Pride
co-chairperson Quack Pirihi.


The organisation called for a community-led restorative justice approach
which aims to bring everyone affected by an incident of wrongdoing together
to decide how to deal with the incident and its implications.


"To protect our communities and build an equitable Aotearoa where Takatapui
and Rainbow communities are liberated, thriving, and connected, we need
community solutions."

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