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LGBTQ+ business owners stand strong amid wave of vandalism: Broken windows never break community
A wave of vandalism struck LGBTQ+ businesses in Denver over the last week, culminating in an attack early Saturday morning on the Center on Colfax, a community center and one of the largest LGBTQ+ organizations in Colorado.Security cameras captured the Saturday assault, revealing a lone vandal smashing several of the centers front windows with a rock. Related Gay shop owner wont let double arson attack intimidate him: Im not going to be in a closet The Parasol Patrol, an organization that shields young people and their families from anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, shared news of the multiple vandalism incidents on Monday.The businesses targeted include two salons, a queer gym, a boutique, and the Center. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today These attacks do not resemble random vandalism, Pasha Ripley, Parasol Patrols executive director, said in a statement. They are intimidation designed to push LGBTQIA+ people, families, and especially youth-serving organizations back into fear and isolation.Its unclear if the attacks are related. As of Monday, Denver Police were investigating two of the incidents, including the vandalism at the Center.At this point, it does not appear that the two are related, but investigators are still working to gather more information, the Denver Police Department told FOX31.John Taylor, The Centers vice president of development and communication, told Denverite on Monday that a suspect has not been identified, though the investigation is ongoing.The nonprofit has hired temporary security.The building feels secure and thats whats important, Taylor said. The community is coming together. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Center On Colfax (@centeroncolfax)Not all of the business owners have spoken publicly about the vandalism.Styler Ells, owner of the Joy of Movement Collective, discovered their business had been attacked when they arrived at the queer gym on Friday morning. The buildings garage windows had been smashed out, and glass littered the floor.Ells learned later of the other incidents.Were very loud and proud, Ells said. Were very out in the community. We do a lot of organizing. We do a lot of activism. And a lot of the businesses that did get hit are also the same. LGBTQ+ organizations, including The Center, were prominent in the news lately as Denver campaigned to host the Gay Games in 2030, Denverite reported. The city lost out to Perth, Australia, on Monday.Saturday morning surveillance video from The Center shows a white man in his 30s wearing shorts, a light jacket, and a baseball cap walking up the buildings steps and slamming a rock several times against windows.The attack triggered the buildings alarm system, and the person fled, according to a statement from The Centers CEO, Kim Salvaggio.As a community, we know that these moments are not simply random acts of mischief, Salvaggio wrote. While we may never know the intent behind this vandalism, we understand it within a broader history of attacks and intimidation that our community has faced.Boarded-up windows on the buildings facade shared hopeful messages.You wont break our souls, read one. Another declared, Broken windows never break community. Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.
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