BARRIE

Aurora's new rainbow crosswalk defaced two times in as many days

Siobhan Morris CTV News Toronto Queen’s Park Bureau Chief & Videojournalist

Published Saturday, August 22, 2020 11:34AM EDT Last Updated Saturday, August 22, 2020 11:35AM EDT

A permanent rainbow crosswalk is seen at Yonge St and Wellington Rd in Aurora after being unveiled Thursday August 20, 2020. (Pflag York Region /Facebook)

Text:

BARRIE, ONT. -- Police have charged a man for the second act of vandalism on Aurora's new Pride crosswalk in a little over 24 hours.

York Regional Police say an officer on patrol near Yonge St and Wellington Rd around 3 a.m. Saturday spotted a man marking up the rainbow crosswalk with black spray paint.

A 57-year-old Aurora man is charged with mischief.

Investigators don't believe the man is connected to another incident at the crosswalk, which police have called "hate-motivated."

Police allege that just before midnight Thursday, the driver of a light-coloured pick-up truck deliberately left black skid marks on the crosswalk, not once but twice.

The damage was done just hours after local politicians formally unveiled the rainbow crosswalk Thursday morning. Mayor Tom Mrakas said it signals that Aurora is an inclusive, accepting, and welcoming community.

What an historic moment for our Town as I was joined by our MP’s, MPP and Council as we walked together across the newly installed “Rainbow Crosswalk”.And what a message to send to the world that Aurora is an inclusive community that is accepting & welcoming of all. #AuroraProud pic.twitter.com/6u38osNCys
— Mayor Tom Mrakas (@TMrakas) August 20, 2020

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Police released this image of a white pickup truck allegedly driven over a new rainbow crosswalk in Aurora on Fri., Aug. 21, 2020. (York Regional Police)