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Dozens of Pride Flags Stolen in Rakkestad, Norway; Organizers Vow to Continue
🇳🇴 Norway /Culture & Society

Dozens of Pride Flags Stolen in Rakkestad, Norway; Organizers Vow to Continue

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Approximately 30 Pride flags have been stolen in Rakkestad, Norway, over the past two weeks, causing distress to the local LGBTQ+ community.
  • Police have investigated previous thefts, apprehending three individuals with ten stolen flags, and are now looking into the recent incidents.
  • Despite the vandalism, organizers are committed to continuing their Pride celebrations, vowing to replace the stolen flags and strengthen community initiatives.

Rakkestad, Norway, is experiencing a disturbing wave of vandalism as approximately 30 Pride flags have been stolen in just two weeks. The repeated thefts, which began at the start of Pride month on June 1, have left organizers disheartened. "It's starting to get quite bad, simply put," said Even Høegh Kaalstad, leader of Bygdepride in Rakkestad, to NRK.

It's starting to get quite bad, simply put.

— Even Høegh KaalstadLeader of Bygdepride in Rakkestad, describing the repeated theft of Pride flags.

Even after the municipality secured the flags with strips, three new flags were stolen from Storgata on Monday. The incidents have prompted police action; earlier in June, three individuals were caught with ten stolen Pride flags in their car. The police are now investigating the latest thefts. Kaalstad expressed his personal hurt, stating, "I do feel that it affects me, even though I am a grown man. I get sad that it has to be like this."

I do feel that it affects me, even though I am a grown man. I get sad that it has to be like this.

— Even Høegh KaalstadExpressing his personal feelings about the vandalism.

Mayor Karoline Fjeldstad of the Centre Party (Sp) condemned the acts as serious, saying, "It is extremely frustrating and sad that Rakkestad is associated with this." In response, Fjeldstad plans to collaborate with the municipal director to develop a strategy for strengthening cohesion, inclusion, and diversity within the community. Despite the challenges, Bygdepride remains resolute. "The flags will be put up again anyway," Kaalstad affirmed, emphasizing their commitment to visible support for the LGBTQ+ community.

It is extremely frustrating and sad that Rakkestad is associated with this.

— Karoline FjeldstadMayor of Rakkestad, commenting on the seriousness of the incidents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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