Manhattan

Someone Sets Rainbow Flags at Harlem Bar on Fire Again

What to Know

  • Pride flags outside a Harlem gay bar were set on fire for a second time in two months
  • Police say the rainbow flags were burned some time midnight Monday morning at the Alibi Lounge
  • On May 31, a day before the start of Pride Month, a man was caught on surveillance video taking his time light both flags on fire

Someone set rainbow flags at the entrance of a gay bar in Harlem on fire for the second time since the eve of Pride Month. 

The Alibi Lounge told NBC4 the incident occurred during business hours, between 12:20 a.m. and 12:45 a.m. Monday morning. Police say there were no injuries or arrests.

On May 31, a day before the start of the city's Pride Month celebrations, a man was caught on surveillance video taking his time light both flags outside the bar were lit and burning before fleeing the scene.

The NYPD did not offer any identifying information about the man, but asked the public to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) if anyone recognized him from the photo.

On its Instagram, the business bills itself as the only black-owned gay lounge in Harlem, serving food and drinks.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said he was directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD in the investigation. The incident came just days before an LGBTQ flag was flown above the state capitol building for the first time in New York history.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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