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Video Shows Man Burning Pride Flags Outside Harlem Gay Bar

Alibi

The incident occurred just before Pride Month, and police are still searching for a suspect.

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A video has been released that shows a man lighting two rainbow flags on fire outside of a New York City gay bar.

In the surveillance footage -- obtained by WLNY, a CBS affiliate in New York -- a suspect can be seen using a lighter to set both banners ablaze outside Alibi Lounge in Harlem.

The New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force had been investigating the incident, which occurred on the eve of Pride Month celebrating the LGBTQ community.

The fire was first spotted just after midnight June 1. A woman knocked on the window to alert the bar of the blaze, which was then extinguished by owner Alexi Minko and several customers.

"When we look out, we could see both flags completely blazing," Minko told WLNY. "In 2019, someone literatlly destroyed a symbol of an entire group of people. That's the shocking part of it."

A larger rainbow flag was reportedly donated to Alibi Lounge after the incident.

Police are still searching for the suspect. Take a look at the video below. Anyone with information regarding the crime can contact the NYPD at (800) 577-TIPS.

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Daniel Reynolds

Daniel Reynolds is the editor of social media for The Advocate. A native of New Jersey, he writes about entertainment, health, and politics.
Daniel Reynolds is the editor of social media for The Advocate. A native of New Jersey, he writes about entertainment, health, and politics.