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Hate Crime: LGBTQ+ flags torn down from PS Cultural Center

In a post to Instagram on Monday, the Palm Springs Cultural Center shared that all 7 of their LGBTQ+ flags were "ripped down" from their patio.

Eric Smith, general manager at the cultural center, says this incident comes at a time when LGBTQIA+ voices are being threatened.

“Right now, they’re extremely being marginalized, they’re trying to be erased from everything in the federal government and to have this occur at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, a safe place, for our community… is just a smack in the face.”

Eric Smith, Palm Springs Cultural Center general manager

But on Tuesday, the community managed to step up to donate and replace the flags.

“I would call it love bombing but while we’re standing up for ourselves, for our community, I think vindication is the word to describe it, thank you Palm Springs. We really appreciate it. The Cultural Center couldn’t exist without you.”

Eric Smith, Palm Springs Cultural Center general manager

The incident was reported to the Palm Springs Police Department. They are calling this a hate crime.

Authorities are asking for public assistance with the investigation and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Matt Steed at 760-323-8157 or via email at Matthew.Steed@palmspringsca.gov.

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Luis Avila

Luis Avila joined KESQ News Channel 3 as a multimedia journalist in June 2024. Learn more about Luis here.

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