Cowardly act’: Hundreds of ‘Pride’ flags stolen from Carlisle, Massachusetts, display.

 

CARLISLE, Mass. —

Hundreds of flags were stolen from a Pride display in Carlisle, Massachusetts, according to town officials.

Carlisle town officials said approximately 200 flags celebrating the beginning of Pride Month were stolen sometime overnight between Sunday and Monday from the town rotary at the intersection of Lowell Street, Bedford Road and Westford Road.

“Stealing property and undermining freedom of expression is a cowardly act and has no place in our town,” the Carlisle Select Board said in a statement to the community of 5,200 residents.

The flags were lawfully permitted to be placed in the location, the town said.

Pride organizers said they're determined not to let it distract them. By midday Friday, the stolen flags were replaced ahead of an afternoon Pride event.

“Actually, it's brought a lot more interest in this. Carlisle always responds with love. It's kind of amazing. Someone wrote something anti-LGBTQ+ rights a few years and the whole town put out Pride flags,” said Pride festival organizer Rachel Freed.

Carlisle police are working to identify the person or persons who stole the flags, and have been looking for witnesses and surveillance video.

"This is something that we are taking very seriously. So we do ask if anyone saw anything or has any information to please contact the police department," said Carlisle Police Chief Andrew Amendola.

About seven years ago, a Carlisle resident wrote an anti-LGBTQ letter to the town newspaper. And organizers said last year a couple of people protested on the fringes of the festival.

But since then, the event has only grown bigger.

"I'm not sure if it's grown in response. It may have just grown because people want to be part of the celebration and the festivities," said Carlisle School Superintendent Jim O'Shea.

Police did not say what charges the flag thief or thieves could face. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 978-369-1155.