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And a little too much like someone was trying to make an example out of someone for showing hostility toward the LGBTQLMNOP agenda – which, as we’ve all become painfully aware, has quickly become a virtually untouchable protected class. Destruction of someone else's property, however objectionable it may be to you, is a no-go and should carry consequences.īut 16 years for burning a gay pride flag seems…well, just a bit excessive. In fact, I’m not arguing in any way, shape or form that he shouldn’t spend some time in the pokey for his stunt, particularly if this isn’t his first spin around the legal merry-go-round. None of these things make Martinez out to be the cleanest, most upstanding citizen. Or that he should have stolen someone else’s flag. Now, I’m not saying Martinez is a good guy, or even a halfway decent one. While the charges against Martinez carried a combined maximum prison sentence of 6 years and one month, an Iowa judge added additional time because he was a repeat offender. For stealing and burning a flag.Īdolfo Martinez, 30, was convicted of a felony hate crime, third-degree harassment, and reckless use of fire after he was arrested after stealing a rainbow pride flag hanging at Ames United Church of Christ and burning it outside a strip club on June 11.Īccording to the Des Moines Register, Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said the hate crime charges were added because Martinez is suspected of criminal mischief against someone's property because of "what it represents as far as sexual orientation." "This act of hate is repugnant to our values of equality and inclusion, and we will not stand by and allow these cowardly acts to continue in New York.Iowa Man Sentenced to 16 Years In Prison For Burning a Church's Gay Pride FlagĪn Iowa man was just sentenced to 16 years in prison for the crime of burning a gay pride flag that had been hanging outside a church. "I am appalled by the burning of yet another pride flag outside an LGBTQ bar in Harlem," he said.
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Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation.
![hate crime burning gay pride flag hate crime burning gay pride flag](https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.4588525.1623244893!/image/image.jpg)
"I'm relieved to know that the person who burned the flag twice and appeared to be the same individual has been arrested and that hopefully it means we can move forward," said the owner of the bar, Alex Minko. Police were reviewing surveillance video and said a tip led them to the suspect arrested in the case.Īuthorities say 20-year-old Tyresse Singleton is charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime and two counts of fifth-degree arson. The bar's owner told Eyewitness News no one saw the incident happen.