Rainbow flag burned outside gay bar in New York - again

[Behind the Aegis]

The Pride flag was burned on the street in the early hours of Monday (July 8) and found by staff members.

Alibi Lounge’s owner, Alexi Minko, said the flag was found between 12.20am and 12.45am, according to the Daily Mail.

The bar’s rainbow flags were previously deliberately set on fire on May 31, with police at that time investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

After that incident, an anonymous person donated two new rainbow flags to the Alibi Lounge.

“I have to say that what I find odd was the timing of both events,” Minko told NBC. “One was at the beginning of Pride and one was right at the end. One has to wonder if there’s a kind of message they’re trying to send.”

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[Behind the Aegis]

1. Suspect Arrested for Setting Fire to Pride Flags at Harlem Gay Bar

The suspect caught on camera setting pride flags on fire in front of a Harlem gay bar has been arrested, police said Tuesday.

The suspect, 20-year-old Tyresse Singleton of Harlem, was charged with two counts of arson and two counts of criminal mischief as a hate crime after allegedly burning rainbow flags outside the Alibi Lounge on two separate occasions, according to police.

The suspect was caught on surveillance video on May 31, the day before Pride Month was set to begin in the city, taking his time lighting both flags outside the bar before fleeing the scene.

The flags were burned once again just after midnight on July 8, the suspect seen on camera that time as well.

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