Police are investigating after a Delta church was once again the target of hateful vandalism.

Early Wednesday morning (May 31), someone threw black paint on the front entrance of Ladner United Church as well as the window of the ministersa国际传媒檚 office sa国际传媒� both locations where Pride and Progress Pride flags are on display.

sa国际传媒淰andalism wonsa国际传媒檛 change our stand sa国际传媒� we support all people, because we are all children of a loving God,sa国际传媒� the church wrote on Facebook.

Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime against both the church and the broader LGBTQ2S+ community, noting in a press release that Pride flags are symbolic representations of the community and their allies, and damaging them can be seen as an act of hatred or discrimination.

sa国际传媒淒efacing or damaging these flags is illegal, disrespectful and deeply hurtful to the 2SLGBTQI+ community,sa国际传媒� the release states.

The incident, which sparked outrage and condemnation across the community, came one day before the start of Pride month.

In response to the incident, the Delta Pride Society posted on its social media channels that it condemns any forms of hate and sa国际传媒渨ill continue to stand firmly in our advocacy and support of the Pride community sa国际传媒� their peace, life, safety and well-being. We are here for you. We stand with you.sa国际传媒�

To show solidarity and allyship, a group of residents rallied on the Highway 17 overpass in Ladner Wednesday, waving flags and carrying signs with messages of support.

Mayor George Harvie, in a series of tweets Wednesday afternoon, voiced his support for the gathering while condemning the act of hate that spurred it.

sa国际传媒淚 want to recognize all Deltans who support our 2SLGBTQ+ community. The vandal who defaced the Ladner United Church in no way represents us. The spirit of [Delta] is in these community members who are loudly supporting love over hate today and everyday,sa国际传媒� he wrote.

sa国际传媒淭he [City of Delta] and I will always stand in support of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and against these acts of hate. Deltans, no matter whom they love, should feel welcome, safe, and valued in our city.sa国际传媒�

In Thursdaysa国际传媒檚 press release, DPD Chief Neil Dubord said Pride flags sa国际传媒渨ave as symbols of acceptance, equality, and freedom, standing strong against any attempts to diminish our spirit or divide our community.sa国际传媒�

On Thursday morning, church staff found a someone had placed signs on the lawn spelling sa国际传媒渓ove wins.sa国际传媒�

Ladner United Church has flown some version of the Pride flag outside the entrance since 2014, and Wednesdaysa国际传媒檚 incident is at least the sixth time that the church has been attacked over its support for the LGBTQ2S+ community.

In June of 2019, the Pride flag flying outside the churchsa国际传媒檚 main entrance was defaced with black spray paint .

In August of 2021, the original defaced flag sa国际传媒� which had been re-hung outside the church after being adorned with a large heart to cover the paint damage and signed with messages of love and support from community members sa国际传媒� was torn, and two weeks later a replacement flag was again vandalized with black paint.

In July of last year, a man believed to be in his 50s or 60s was striking the Progress Pride flag hanging outside the churchsa国际传媒檚 main entrance with a long sharp-edged pole, tearing it in several spots.

Since then, the church has displayed the flag from behind its window to discourage further acts of vandalism.

Police say that, over the past two and a half years, five incidents have been reported by the church, and though each was investigated thoroughly, no suspects were successfully identified.

sa国际传媒淩est assured, the Delta Police Department remains committed to conducting a comprehensive investigation into this most recent incident.sa国际传媒�

Anyone with information about Wednesdaysa国际传媒檚 vandalism, or any of the previous incidents of hate at Ladner United Church, is asked to contact the Delta Police Department at 604-946-4411 or, to remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8247).

editor@northdeltareporter.com
Like us on and follow us on