WESTPORT — The “Rainbow” crosswalk downtown has been defaced with graffiti.
Graffiti scrawled on the multi-colored crosswalk at Jesup Road and Taylor Place — depicting male genitals — was reported to police Wednesday night.
The incident is being investigated by police, according to a statement by Deputy Chief Ryan Paulsson sent to Sal Liccione, a Representative Town Meeting member from District 9, which includes the downtown area.
Liccione denounced the vandalism, saying he feels anyone responsible for such acts should be prosecuted to the extent the law allows.
The incident was reported to police Wednesday night by John Bolton, a Planning and Zoning Commission member who is running for the state House of Representatives seat from the 136th District in November.
Police are reviewing footage from video-surveillance cameras in the area as they search for a suspect responsible for the vandalism. No arrests have been made.
The Rainbow crosswalk, installed permanently last October, was spearheaded by the group, Westport Pride, as a symbol of inclusion and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Westport.
Brian McGunagle, the founder of Westport Pride, was not immediately available for comment.
The incident marks the second time in recent months that a downtown crosswalk has been defaced with polarizing graffiti.
In May, a Bridgeport woman was issued a misdemeanor summons for criminal mischief after police said she painted “Save Gaza” on a Post Road East crosswalk, near Main Street.
That’s nuts!!!
When did the taxpayers of Westport vote on the erection of the PRIDE sidewalk ? When did we vote on placing signs throughout public areas voicing our lockstep support for Israel? When did we vote on defacing the iconic bridge over the Saugatuck with hanging wires of missing Hispanics, formerly reserved for milk cartons? Lastly, when did the taxpayers vote on the expense of building a monument to DEI on Jesup Green with a plaque proclaiming Westport DEI values?
The answer is a resounding never did we cast a ballot on which any of these issues was raised. Therefore, is it defacing public property when a taxpayer displays his opinion on the rainbow sidewalk? What gives the few the right to make proclamations of sensitive issues speaking as though we are of one mind? Does this not ignite the flames of homophobia, anti-semitism and meritocracy over DEI?
Wouldn’t it make sense in the interest of living together peacefully not to paint sidewalks,hang missing placards or build monuments to DEI in the public square?
Because at the end of the day, what some see as PRIDE others see as another 5 letter word, SHAME.