Stolen rainbow flag burned in Finnish town of Vörå in disturbing act of vandalism against pride month
A rainbow flag, stolen from the municipal building of Vörå in Ostrobothnia, Finland, was burned on Sunday night. A video of the incident is being widely shared on social media.
Anna Bertills, chair of the Vörå municipal board, expressed her sorrow and anger over the incident on the town’s Facebook page. “We are extremely saddened by what has happened – and not just saddened: we are both angry and extremely worried about what has been done,” she said.
This is the first year that Vörå has flown a flag for Pride and in support of sexual minorities, and it had not been previously targeted by vandals. Bertills has stated that the overall response to the town’s Pride flag-flying has been positive.
She emphasized the importance of condemning such behavior, regardless of where the vandalism occurs. “This is unacceptable and there should be zero tolerance for such incidents. This is unpleasant symbolism,” stressed Bertills.
Bertills called for tolerance and understanding towards diversity. “This is not just an issue for Vörå, but a wider phenomenon. We need to take responsibility for what happens in our own municipality and react to it,” she said.
In early June, Pride flags were stolen in Pedersöre after they had been up for only half an hour.
The municipality of Vörå has reported the incident to the police. Bertills believes that the town’s swift reaction to the case and reporting it to the police sends an important message to everyone. “It’s to show that such action is not acceptable, and that enough is enough,” she said.
Bertills refused to speculate on who might be behind the vandalism. The case is now under police investigation. Regardless of whether the act was committed by young people or adults, she stressed that it should not be excused. “In my opinion, we need to demand more from each other and from society,” she said.