Investigation underway into vandalism of Pride flags at a Missoula store

MISSOULA – The investigation is ongoing into a vandalism incident at a downtown Missoula business in which people were filmed destroying Pride flags.

Spokane, Fresno, Chicago and Boise are just some of the cities where Pride-themed murals, sidewalks or flags have been vandalized – and now Missoula has joined the list.

We continue to monitor the incident in which three Gay Pride flags were damaged at the Import Market.

MTN contacted Missoula Police and confirmed that the company had filed a police report and the incident was now under investigation.

Footage from the Import Market’s surveillance cameras shows a group of people grabbing three flags that were tied to a canopy in front of the Import Market with cable ties. They then tore up the flags, threw them in a trash can and urinated on them.

Some people are calling the incident a hate crime. We have reached out to the ACLU of Montana to see if this could be considered a hate crime, but we will have to wait until the Missoula Police Department’s investigation is complete.

MTN spoke with Andy Nelson, executive director of the Western Montana LGBTQ+ Community Center, who said this behavior will not be tolerated in Missoula and Montana.

“Incidents like this remind people that this form of hate still exists. We will not tolerate it and this community needs support,” Nelson said.

We will keep you updated on this incident and any charges filed by the Missoula Police Department.

Watch an in-depth interview with Import Market contributor Madeline Stevenson below.

EXTENDED INTERVIEW: Madeline Stevenson talks about vandalism of Pride flags

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