Early Saturday morning, a person armed with a knife slashed by means of the Satisfaction flag that hung outdoors a pair’s Anaheim house, unleashing a slur meant to demean the LGBTQ+ neighborhood within the course of.
The motion, which focused the house of Jake Nolan and his associate, Jon, was meant to ship a message of hate and intolerance. The neighborhood despatched again a message of help and inclusion.
“We’re not going to tolerate hate,” mentioned Elia Renteria-Garcia, who has lived within the historic neighborhood referred to as the Colony for almost seven years.
When Nolan, 35, seen that the flag he had put up a couple of days earlier was now not flying, he thought the wind might need knocked it down. However when he examined the flag, it appeared as if somebody had tried to chop it. He reviewed footage from his doorbell digital camera and noticed one thing he’d by no means skilled whereas dwelling in California.
The footage exhibits two darkened figures strolling alongside Water Road close to his house on Dickel Road about 2 a.m. One of many males makes a beeline for the flag, whipping out a knife as he steps onto the yard. He drags the knife by means of the middle of the flag, utilizing sufficient drive to tear the pole off the home, the video exhibits.
The person, who has not been recognized, mutters a pejorative time period for a homosexual man as he walks away. Although it’s troublesome to listen to within the footage, the person seems to say “not in my neighborhood” as he continues down the road, Nolan mentioned.
The Satisfaction flag that was hung outdoors Jake Nolan’s home was lower with a knife and ripped down.
(Courtesy of Jake Nolan)
Nolan mentioned he was upset by the habits however brushed it off and shortly purchased a brand new flag.
“We’re not going to let this get us down,” he mentioned.
An Anaheim Police Division spokesperson confirmed that the company acquired a report concerning the vandalism and is investigating. No suspects have been recognized.
The incident is among the newest examples of vandalism towards Satisfaction symbols throughout the nation throughout a month meant to have fun the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. Orange County specifically has had points with the image lately.
Final 12 months, a majority of the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to ban flying the Satisfaction flag on county property, calling it “divisive.” The vote adopted an analogous one in Huntington Seashore that reversed a previous coverage to fly the rainbow banner throughout Satisfaction month. Final June, a teenage boy in Huntington Seashore was arrested for allegedly ripping down a Satisfaction flag.
In 2022, residents of Laguna Seashore had been angered when rainbow flags had been stolen from companies throughout Satisfaction month.
A report launched final 12 months by the O.C. Human Relations Fee famous a 126% improve in anti-LGBTQ+ exercise in 2022 from the earlier 12 months. Vandalism was the most typical offense reported.
When Nolan moved to the historic district six years in the past, he was informed the neighborhood was extra than simply quaint Victorian and Craftsman houses. It’s a spot of neighborhood, he mentioned. The neighbors collect for pumpkin carving every Halloween, pancake breakfasts, Fourth of July potlucks and neighborhood cleanups. When a neighbor not too long ago fell ailing, residents helped out by taking turns strolling his canine.
The day he found the broken flag, Nolan posted the surveillance video to the neighborhood Fb group, writing, “nicely…that occurred. Final evening round 2 somebody ripped our Satisfaction flag and pole off the home. Lesson right here, hold a backup.”
Renteria-Garcia, 45, noticed Nolan’s submit and responded by ordering 10 Satisfaction flags, which she supplied to neighbors to fly at their houses in a present of help. One after the other, neighbors knocked on her door searching for the rainbow banners. She has two left, she mentioned Monday, and plans to order extra.
“We would like individuals to know the intent that was behind that — it’s not OK,” she mentioned of the vandalism. “We want to verify people who come by means of right here know that this isn’t one thing we’re going to tolerate.”
Nolan promptly bought a substitute flag. “We’re not going to let this get us down,” he mentioned.
(Courtesy of Jake Nolan)
By Monday afternoon, the banners — some bearing the phrase “Everyone seems to be welcome right here” — had been flying at a number of houses alongside Dickel Road. A brand-new rainbow flag whipped within the afternoon breeze outdoors Nolan’s house.
The flag is greater than a celebration of who he’s. He described it as a logo for everybody who could be struggling to indicate who they’re.
“I keep in mind what it was prefer to not be comfy exhibiting who I’m,” he mentioned. “Having the flag up is a approach to let individuals know you may be who you might be. You possibly can present it.”
He added, “This gained’t deter us.”
