After finding their Trans Pride flag torched and tattered, the United Parish in Brookline is speaking out against the vandals.
“The statements that we make by having our trans-pride flag, our Black Lives Matter flag, are more important that any act of vandalism or any repair costs or replacement costs,” said Reverend Amy Norton, the associate pastor of the congregation.
The blue, pink and white-striped banner stood proudly in the front of the Brookline church until church staff found it tarnished on the ground last week. It’s an unprecedented attack, according to Norton.
“If whoever did this happens to be watching and they want to come and have a conversation with us, that is something we would welcome,” Norton told Boston 25. “We are a big believer in restorative justice.”
The United Parish in Brookline released a statement on Facebook Saturday denouncing the actions.
“We at the United Parish in Brookline believe that all people are made in the image of God and embrace and cherish every person and every kind of family. Jesus Christ welcomed everyone; we seek to follow his example in our own life and worship, by extending God’s love and grace abundantly and equally to everyone,” the parish’s statement reads in part.
According to Norton, it was crucial that the parish release a statement on the incident.
“We don’t just welcome people of all races, genders, ages, we are a congregation of all races, genders and ages,” said Norton. “And it’s just as important to our congregation, to the folks in the congregation as well as the folks outside to know that we can’t be intimidated away from sharing that kind of welcome.”
A spokesperson from the Brookline Police Department told Boston 25 that they are currently investigating the incident.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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