Pride Center Vandalized In Nyack

NYACK, NY — Rockland County Executive Ed Day expressed disgust about the recent vandalism of the Rockland County Pride Center in Nyack.

The center opened at 28 S. Franklin St., the old Elks Lodge, and renovated the building to be the heart and home of the LGBT community, their families, and allies. SEE: Rockland County Pride Center Has New Home in Nyack.

Now anti-LGBTQ+ graffiti has been found on the exterior, Day said.

"I am disgusted by this type of vandalism surfacing here in Rockland and condemn it in the strongest possible terms," he said. "Words matter and we must not allow intolerance to grow or fester in this beautiful county that we all call home. We must continue our efforts to get to know and embrace our neighbors from different backgrounds. Despite any differences we all seek the same things; a safe and welcoming place to live and work."

Spencer Chiimbwe, Rockland Commissioner of Human Rights appointed in November, said the Rockland Human Rights Commission doubly condemns the incident.

"Such actions are horrific and must not go unaddressed," Chiimbwe said. "The Commission will always remain supportive of the work of the Rockland County Pride Center and all other organizations that are working to make our county a great place. No form of social animus will prevent our collective zeal from fighting such frontiers of hate in Rockland County."

"While I personally view this incident as a hate crime, we do not know what type of charges the perpetrator may face," Day said. "I encourage anyone with information about this crime to call or email the Orangetown Police Department at 845-359-3700 and orangetownpd@orangetown.com."

Orangetown police would not release information about the incident without a Freedom of Information request.