Man charged for burning gay flag
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“The hard reality is there are people who target individuals and commit crimes against individuals because of their race, gender, sexual orientation,” she told the Ames Tribune. Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said Martinez was the first person in the county’s history to be convicted of a hate crime. “But 12 people that I don’t know, who have no investment in me or this congregation, said this man committed a crime, and it was a crime borne of bigotry and hatred.” “I often experienced Ames as not being as progressive as many people believe it is, and there still is a very large closeted queer community here,” she told the Des Moines Register when he was convicted in November.
MAN CHARGED FOR BURNING GAY FLAG TRIAL
The interview was entered into the trial as evidence against him.Ĭhurch pastor Eileen Gebbie, who identifies as gay woman, says she agrees that Martinez’ actions were motivated by hatred. “I burned down their pride, plain and simple,” he told KCCI-TV.
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It’s a blessing from the Lord,” he said, explaining that he did it because he “opposed homosexuality”. He was arrested later that day, and told local media in a jail house interview that he was “guilty as charged”. He then returned to the strip club where he used lighter fluid to burn the flag in the street. By the time they arrived, he had already been kicked out by bar staff.Īfter leaving the club, Martinez then travelled to the church and ripped down its flag. Police say the crime spree began at Dangerous Curves, a strip club, when police were called because a man was making threats. The incident occurred around midnight on 11 June in downtown Ames, Iowa. He was found guilty last month of hate crime harassment, reckless use of fire and being a habitual offender. With files from CTV News Toronto’s Abby Neufeld.A US judge has handed down a sentence of at least 15 years to a man who stole an LGBT pride flag from a church and burned it outside a strip club.Īdolfo Martinez, 30, admitted to the media that he took the flag from Ames United Church of Christ due to his animosity towards homosexuals. He was found guilty last month of hate crime harassment. 1233 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Adolfo Martinez, 30, admitted to the media that he took the flag from Ames United Church of Christ due to his animosity towards homosexuals. “As a learning community, we are committed to increasing our individual and collective skills and understanding to clearly confront racist acts and to ensure our school environment is safe and aligns with PDSB’s values of educating our learners through an anti-racist, anti-oppressive lens,” he added.Īnyone with information is asked to contact police at (905) 453-2121, ext. “I am truly sorry for the harm caused by this incident,” Mcleod wrote. In a letter to CPSS families, principal Tyler Mcleod said that the involved students sent the video to fellow 2SLGBTQIA+ students. The identities of the youths will not be released as they are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.īoth of the teens have been referred to the Youth Pre-Charge Diversion Program.Īfter the video surfaced online, the Peel District School Board (PDSB) also launched an investigation. On June 17, police arrested two 16-year-old male youths from Mississauga in connection with the incident. Police said the flag burning is considered a hate-motivated incident. It is alleged that the involved individuals are students at Cawthra Park Secondary School (CPSS) in Mississauga. On June 8, police received a report of a video showing a rainbow Pride flag burning on the ground while people were laughing in the background. Two teenage boys from Mississauga have been arrested after a video of a burning Pride flag surfaced on social media, Peel police say.