03/02/2024
BBC Radio Somerset and Taunton based community radio service Apple FM both report that Police are investigating and appealing for information after it a walkway brightly painted with the cheerful colours of the Pride Rainbow was covered with white paint. The mindless act of vandalism has been condemned as clearly intended to offend LGBTQIA+, black people and other minorities which were celebrated by the pathway from Bridge Street and Goodland Gardens in the Taunton town centre. Taunton Town Council Leader Tom Deakin said he was "disappointed to learn of the wilful act of vandalism". He added: "We utterly condemn this act, as well as limiting the use of a public space, it undoubtedly has a negative impact on how our LGBTQ residents feel." One blogger noted online "increasingly, we see how the anti-gay and anti-black lunatics try to force the majority into their extremist ideologies. They use fear, violence and intimidation and care nothing for public property or space. They need to be rounded up and incarcerated before they escalate to more hate crimes".
