For the 2nd year in a row, Waterloo's Pride crosswalk has been vandalized

The progress-flag crosswalk unveiled about a week ago at Waterloo's pride month kick-off event has already been defaced.

Multiple black, tire-made skid marks can been seen running across the newly painted crosswalk on Willis Way near Waterloo Public Square, an action that Waterloo's Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion (READI) Director, Divya Handa, said only means that there is still work to be done before the community is fully inclusive.

"It saddens me to see it, but I think it's also the reality of just where we are," she said.

There had previously been a pride-flag crosswalk at this location, but that too had been vandalized in early June 2023.

"I think it was important given what happened to the original crosswalk that this one be brought back," said Handa.

Mike Hirst is the owner of Topline Pavement Services. Part of his contract is to come back to the crosswalk for any necessary maintenance, but he did not expect to be back so soon.

Hirst said this kind of damage is too much for a simple touch up.

"We'd repaint the whole thing," he said. "It means a lot to some people and if it doesn't mean anything to you then just walk on by."

When thinking about other permanent ways to show solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Handa said Pride banners on Uptown Waterloo light posts are not so easily defaced, but those come down at the end of June.

"Moving forward, it's important that we look at other ways of being able to do this," she said.

Handa said READI plans to address and repair any damages made to the flag as soon as possible.

"Proactively responding to identity-based discrimination is an important part of this work."