'It wasn't the wind': Milton hall board suspects 'intolerant' person in 2 recent Pride flag thefts

The Pride flag hanging outside the Milton Community Hall has gone missing twice in the last month, leading some in the small central P.E.I. community to fear it wasn't just the wind or mischievous kids.

"It was bad enough the first time and you just hope maybe it's kids out on a prank," said Shari MacDonald, the hall's secretary.

"But when something like this happens for the second time, you start to wonder if there's somebody out there who's rather intolerant."

Police were called after the flag, a symbol of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, went missing, MacDonald said.

This P.E.I. community hall will keep replacing its Pride flag, no matter how many times it gets stolen

3 months ago

Duration 1:02

Milton Community Hall has had two Pride flags stolen from outside the building over the past few weeks. CBC's Tony Davis spoke with the hall's secretary, Shari MacDonald, about what happened and the kind of support they've received from residents to let them keep the flag flying.

There are security cameras on the premises but none of them was directed at the flag. Board members are reviewing the footage from the cameras anyway.

For her part, MacDonald believes the flag was stolen.

"When the clips that hold the flag on to the flagpole are gone, then you think, 'No, it wasn't the wind.'"

The flag was purchased with the help of a provincial anti-racism grant program as part of the community's efforts to become more inclusive. MacDonald said people who know about its loss are angry and upset.

"People are offering to help us buy cameras to put on that side of the building. People are offering to replace the flag. I mean, it's good in that respect. There's been a lot of support."

P.E.I. shows its Pride in Charlottetown

4 months ago

Duration 3:46

Hundreds of people took part in the 30th anniversary of the P.E.I. Pride parade in Charlottetown on Saturday. CBC's Victoria Walton was on the route to speak with both participants and spectators to find out about their reasons for taking part in the festivities.

Not everyone has been supportive, however. The hall has lost at least one rental because of the Pride flag's presence, MacDonald said.

"But the board has decided that this is something that's important to us. And if it means that we lose a rental, we lose a rental."

She hopes a new Pride flag will be erected by the end of the week, sending a message that the board won't be intimidated.

"We're disappointed that it happened and we're doing all that we can to look at the positive side of it and to show that, you know, we're inclusive and welcoming to everyone. And we hope that Islanders will do the same."