Police ask for help after downtown Durham businesses defaced ahead of Pride weekend
Police on Friday asked the public for help after someone defaced LGBTQ-friendly window displays in downtown Durham with homophobic messages scrawled in spray paint early Wednesday morning.
Through This Lens, an art gallery and framer with a Pride flag hanging inside, had messages saying “(expletive) Pride” and “Love God” in blue and red spray paint.
Owner Roylee Duvall said it had already been reported to police and partially cleaned when he arrived Wednesday morning. He said he hung the flag three years ago.
“This is the first time there has ever been any vandalism, so it really surprised me,” Duvall said. “Hopefully it was a one-time incident and I’ll be able to go another 18 years without vandalism.”
Down the street, the 21c Museum Hotel discovered its rainbow penguin decals marked through with Xs. Above were written “God” and “(expletive) 12,” also in blue and red paint with similar lettering. Twelve is slang for police.
“Unfortunately, even Durham’s prized bronze bull, ‘Major’ was not spared,” 21c’s general manager Ronald Morin told The News & Observer in an email. “We were made aware of the marks on our building, before sunrise, by one of our neighbors. Durham police called our staff to tell us it had been reported and asked that we not touch or remove it until they arrived.”
Morin said the city’s graffiti removal team arrived soon after police and that the building was thoroughly cleaned by 10 a.m.
Police said a third business in the 200 block of North Roxboro Street had similar graffiti tags and also confirmed that the bull statue was defaced.
“These incidents are active investigations and we do not have additional details available at this time,” a police spokesperson emailed Thursday.
On Friday, police repeated that they are actively investigating the incidents and asked that anyone who may have video or information regarding them contact Investigator J. Eason at 919-560-4281 ext. 29122 or Durham CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200. Callers never have to identify themselves and may qualify for a cash reward.
LGBT Pride celebration Saturday
The vandalism comes ahead of Durham’s pride celebration, which will be celebrated on Saturday with a full day of official events:
- Parade: 10:30 a.m. with a route along Main, Ninth and Broad streets near Duke University
- Festival: Noon-4 p.m. on Duke East Campus
- Concert: 5 p.m. in Durham Central Park
- Party: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at Suite Four
- Party: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at The Fruit
This story was originally published September 22, 2022 at 4:17 PM.
