SOHO, Manhattan (WABC) — A suspect has been arrested and charged after setting a parade flag on fire outside a Manhattan restaurant.
Angelina Condo, 30, was arrested Tuesday and charged with arson, disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment — all hate crimes.
A Pride flag reading “Make America Gay Again” was set on fire in the early hours of Monday morning at the Little Prince restaurant in Soho.
The taunting phrase is believed to have fired up the suspect, who is shown on surveillance video taking out a lighter and lighting the flag on fire before driving off in his white SUV.
The fire led to the temporary evacuation of apartments above the Prince Street restaurant.
“I can’t imagine anyone hating to do something like that,” restaurant patron Charlotte Winn said. “Especially not knowing if it could also physically harm someone.”
The restaurant owner said an employee was inside the restaurant at the time of the incident and quickly called 911.
“To be a part of it, and to witness it, and to work here, and to make it happen, like, that’s my job,” the employee said. “This is where I make money and I also have a house here. So when they take him away, I’m confused, I’m hurt, and I don’t know how to feel about it.”
Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire. The fire caused cracked windows and exterior damage. D and C Landscaping donated their services to replant the flowers in front of the business to replace those burned in the fire.
The owner of Litte Prince said the Pride flag has been stolen in the past, but the latest malicious act has led to an outpouring of support from the community.
“What we saw on the video was a hate crime,” said Councilman Eric Boettcher. “Someone who was intent on sending fear into our entire community.”
The plan, according to Botcher, didn’t work. On Monday, he helped the business put up another Pride flag, this time bigger than before.
“Our resolve is only strengthened when actions like this happen,” Botcher said. “We stand against this hatred and restore our pride in ourselves and our community. That’s why we raised the flag again.”
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