A Pride flag hanging at the front of a Harlem gay bar was set on fire early Monday morning. This is the second time a rainbow flag has been burned at the same club in just over a month.
NBC News reports the flag was discovered by staff members sometime between 12:20 a.m. and 12:45 a.m.
The previous attack, which New York City Police have been investigating as a possible anti-gay crime, occurred in the early morning hours of May 31.
Alexi Minko, owner of the Alibi Lounge, says he finds the timing of the two incidents suspect.
"I have to say that what I find odd was the timing of both events," said Minko. "One was at the beginning of Pride, and one was right at the end. One has to wonder if there's a kind of message they're trying to send."
Sad to report that it happened again tonight! https://t.co/AdzSaLXd1L pic.twitter.com/8sdI06B0rI— Alibi Lounge (@lounge_alibi) July 8, 2019
Calling the repeat offense "surreal," Minko added that he's surprised the second flag-burning happened since police had released surveillance camera footage of the suspect in the first incident, alerting the public that cameras are trained on the nightclub's entrance.
"Second time around, I'm really kind of in shock, I have to admit," Minko said.
Speaking to local news station PIX11, the owner said that no matter the message, “What’s important is that we stand tall, we don’t get afraid.”
PIX11 reports that Alibi Lounge bills itself as the only black-owned LGBTQ bar in Manhattan.
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