Damage to a Pride walkway and picnic table at a business on Bridge Street in Tillsonburg, July 31, 2023. Photo provided by Oxford OPP.Damage to a Pride walkway and picnic table at a business on Bridge Street in Tillsonburg, July 31, 2023. Photo provided by Oxford OPP.
London

OPP probing vandalism of Tillsonburg Pride crosswalk, picnic table

Provincial police are reviewing surveillance camera footage in an effort to identify the vandals who damaged several Pride themed items in Tillsonburg, including a newly painted crosswalk.

Oxford County Pride first posted about the damage to the rainbow-coloured crosswalk at Broadway and Bridge Street West on Monday. Four days later, OPP confirmed a Pride walkway and picnic table at a Bridge Street business had also defaced.

Investigators called to the scene at the start of the week determined the vandals showed up just after 9:30 p.m. Sunday and proceeded to spray-paint the 2SLGBTQIA+ supportive property.

"CCTV footage is being reviewed to determine who is responsible for this criminal act," police said. "The OPP does not tolerate or condone acts of hate against a person or property based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion or religious dress, sex, age, mental or physical disability, or sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression."

The damage to the crosswalk came less than a week after it was installed.

"This is why we have to continue to advocate and educate. Hate and discrimination will not win," Oxford County Pride previously said in relation to the vandalism.

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