Miles City police investigate destruction of rainbow flag at church as possible hate crime
The Miles City Police Department is investigating the vandalism of a rainbow flag at the United Christian Church as a possible hate crime, Capt. Dan Baker said Tuesday.
“We have two or three leads that we’re following,” Baker said. “We take it very seriously. We’ll investigate it to its fullest.”
Monday, he said law enforcement officers responded to a call about a rainbow flag being ripped up at the Miles City church, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ.
The church is “open and affirming,” or supportive of members who are LGBTQ+.
Baker said police also found at the scene a homemade banner draped over the church’s marquee.
“There were some Old Testament verses on there that could definitely be construed as being anti-gay,” Baker said.
He said charges could include vandalism and malicious intimidation but will ultimately be based on the evidence and be up to the county prosecutor.
Malicious intimidation comes with a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both.
In a social media post, the church described the incident and said the vandalism occurred Sunday night.
“A sign was placed over our sign with an anti-LGBTQIA+ message,” the post said. “Our rainbow flag was ripped up and replaced with an American flag.”
The post said cameras would soon be installed, and the church would be replacing the damaged flag and ordering more.
“This is sad, that there are those in our community who choose hate over love,” the post said. “Our message of radical love for all people will never be silenced.”
In a phone call, Rev. Amber Dixon said the vandalism was “unusual but not surprising.”
She said Miles City is a more conservative area, although she also said the flag has been flying for several years without incident.
“There was a lot of frustration and anger and sadness that something like this had happened,” Dixon said.
But Dixon also said the church put up another rainbow flag Monday afternoon as soon as the police had finished their work at the scene.
A semi-retired pastor and spouse who run the local winery had ordered a new rainbow flag to replace their fading one, and Dixon said they offered it to the church instead.
She said she believes the vandal, or vandals, are younger, maybe in their 20s, based on the painting and the way the culprit accessed the roof because it’s not easily accessible.
“(I hope) they realize that this isn’t funny,” Dixon said. “We won’t be silenced. And … I hope they don’t carry this further.”
Roughly 15 or 16 people regularly attend church, but more watch services on Facebook, Dixon said.
However, she also said many people in the community have reached out to support the church and have told her it is a beacon.
“The responses we received tell me there’s a lot of people who honor our stand in the community who will never see the inside of a church — and that’s fine — but know that we are there and what we stand for.”