Three Washington-based teenagers are facing up to ten years in jail after they intentionally skidded out on a rainbow-coloured street.
Nineteen-year-old Ruslan V. V Turko and the two unidentified minors used E-Scooters to allegedly vandalize the rainbow crosswalk.
On Wednesday, the teens were arrested for first-degree malicious mischief with prosecutors demanding a $15,000 bond to cover the cost of repainting the street.
One of the teenagers was subsequently released under the condition that he refrain from revisiting the Pride road.
A spokesperson for Lime — the brand of E-Scooters used— later condemned the incident.
“All of us at Lime condemn these vile acts in no uncertain terms. At a time when our teams at Lime are beginning pride celebrations around the globe, it is disturbing to see the hate taking place in Spokane,” read their statement.
‘We will not let the hateful few spoil the joy of Pride Month in Spokane, and are grateful for those working to make Spokane more welcoming for all,” they added.
Pride road’s history of incidents continues
In an unrelated incident, the Pride crosswalk located in Riverfront Park, Washington, was supposedly set on fire last month after a group poured liquid and ignited flames according to The Spokane Police Department.
In March, Governor Jay Inslee of Washington approved a bill that broadens the state’s hate crime law to encompass property vandalism, now categorized as a felony.
Perpetrators could face a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
The updated law went into effect the Thursday after the latest incident.
