Pride Balloons Removed From Westport Bridge, Police Say

Westport CT

11 June, 2021

5:31 PM

Description

WESTPORT, CT — Police are investigating a possible vandalism incident after rainbow balloons meant to celebrate Pride Month were removed from a bridge in town Friday morning. In a news release, Police Lt. David Wolf said the department received a report around 9:30 a.m. that several colorful rainbow balloons recently placed along the the Ruth Steinkraus Memorial Bridge had been removed. According to Wolf, the balloons were placed on the bridge's lights during a recent event celebrating Pride Month. "This incident is upsetting because it is not only an act of destruction," Wolf said in a news release, "but also offensive to many members of our community." Wolf said "the responsible party" was quickly identified by police, however the department is still investigating the incident. He also noted further updates were expected. "We are working with the State's Attorney Office on a possible motive and potential criminal charges," Wolf said. In a statement sent to Patch, First Selectman Jim Marpe said he was "truly saddened" to hear about the incident but was appreciative of Westport police's quick work identifying a suspect. "While we don't yet know the motivation behind these actions," Marpe said, "I do know that they do not reflect the spirit and inclusiveness of our community. We respect the value and dignity of every resident and appreciate the importance of accepting all who choose to call Westport home." Brian McGunagle, the founder of Westport Pride, said in a statement sent to media Friday he noticed the balloons were missing from the bridge while driving to work around 8 a.m. McGunagle said the colorful balloons appeared to have been torn off most of the lights on the northbound side of the bridge and several lights were damaged, while balloons on the southbound side of the bridge appeared to be intact. "Hate has no home in Westport," McGunagle said in a statement, "and Westport Pride will continue to pursue its mission of radical welcome in our community despite any acts of vandalism." McGunagle also noted the incident comes just days after Westport Pride held its first pride rally June 5 on Jesup Green, which was attended by nearly 500 people.