Atlanta’s rainbow crosswalk vandalized with hate symbol, police say

ATLANTA — Crews have cleaned up the rainbow crosswalk in midtown Atlanta after police say they were vandalized on Wednesday night.

While patrolling around the intersection of Piedmont Rd. and 10th St., officers found a hate symbol that had been spray painted on the crosswalk.

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At10 p.m., APD’s LGBTQ Liaison Unit was alerted to a symbol that appeared to be a swastika spray painted on the rainbow crosswalk, police said.

Officials said Atlanta Department of Transportation crews responded to remove the vandalized portion of the crosswalk and that investigators are working to determine the details surrounding the incident.

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The City of Atlanta released the following statement:

“Atlanta Police immediately notified the Mayor’s Office of the matter, then ATLDOT scrambled a crew—in the rain—to remove the disgusting act of vandalism from our street. We thank the women and men of ATLDOT and APD for erasing the hate that has no place in our city in a such a swift and efficient manner.”

—  Michael Smith, Press Secretary

Atlanta police have not commented on possible suspects.

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Earlier this year, the rainbow crosswalks were defaced by apparent street racers doing doughnuts in the intersection leaving the area covered in tire marks on multiple occasions.

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