'Sign of hatred:' Rainbow crosswalk defaced by tire burn out

Saskatoon’s Pride organization is responding after a rainbow-coloured crosswalk was defaced Monday.

An unknown driver appeared to have burned out their tires through the special crosswalk at 4th Avenue and 23rd Street sometime Monday, leaving two black tire marks across the rainbow colours.

“Shame on the person who did this,” said Michelle Lane, a resident who walked to see the damage for herself.

“That’s a sign of hatred that somebody would come out and do that. And it’s sad because these are beautiful and inclusive.”

The crosswalks were installed Saturday by the city to celebrate Pride month throughout June.

Pride Festival Co-Chair Danny Papadatos said he expected backlash, but not so soon after the installation.

“I thought Saskatoon was better than that,” he said. “But it doesn’t surprise me when I see what else is happening in the world where hate has room to grow.”

The organization has yet to file a police complaint, but they’re analyzing their next steps.

Papadatos said they don’t want to tie up police resources until they find more evidence of what happened, including any possible video.

Police spokeswoman Alyson Edwards said if an officer had caught the driver in the act, they would’ve pulled the vehicle over and issued a ticket.

Papadatos noted the incident shows the importance of events like Pride.

“Now more than ever in this community Pride is needed to help raise awareness,” he said.

Came downtown to ask people how they felt about the rainbow crosswalks on 23rd. A driver skidded tires over crossing @ 4th this a.m. #yxe pic.twitter.com/UX9eI3OIPl

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) June 5, 2017