Three charged after allegedly painting over Gisborne’s rainbow crossing

Friday, 29 March 2024

The rainbow crossing was painted white on Monday, in what police labelled a hate crime.

Three people have been charged with graffiti vandalism after they allegedly painted over Gisborne’s rainbow pedestrian crossing.

The rainbow crossing, which has been on Gladstone Rd since 2021, was allegedly painted white in protest of a drag queen story time event at the local library on Monday.

On Saturday, inspector Danny Kirk said three people - two men aged 46 and 36 and a women aged 45 - had been charged with graffiti vandalism.

A fourth suspect has been identified but is yet to be located.

Stuff reporter Amberleigh Jack on Karangahape Rd in Auckland where vandals painted over the rainbow crossing with white paint.

Police had been investigating the incident as a hate crime.

“We consider that, on the face of it, the alleged offending is consistent with a hate crime, and we will seek to establish that as fact during the ongoing investigations and court proceedings,“ Kirk said.

“This incident has caused concern for many people in our diverse community and acts like this have no place here.”

He added that freedom of speech and the right to protest were important to a free and democratic society, however “a line has been crossed on this occasion”.

The trio will appear in the Gisborne District Court on Wednesday.

Following the alleged vandalism in Gisborne, three masked people painted over the rainbow crossing on Auckland’s Karangahape Rd.

Kirk said police intended to seek reparation of costs for the damage to the crossing.

Police are also seeking three unknown people who painted over the rainbow crossing on Auckland’s Karangahape Rd early on Thursday morning.

Due to the wet weather, the white paint was smeared down the road by passing vehicles.

Police are asking anyone with information leading to the identity of three masked people who painted over the Karangahape Rd rainbow crossing to get in contact.

The three offenders had their faces concealed and left the scene in a car with no number plates.

“We are aware of the hurt and confusion from the community at what has occurred and we want to reassure the public we are committed to holding those involved to account,” said police inspector Grant Tetzlaff.

Like in Gisborne, police were treating the incident as a hate crime.

“We are calling on those responsible for this incident to come forward and speak with us.”

Information can be provided to police by phoning 105, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.