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Brookings mayor condemns theft of pride flags, urges community to support library staff and inclusivity
Summary
An unidentified speaker identified as mayor said three pride flags were stolen downtown, reported derogatory social-media comments targeting library staff, and urged residents to make Brookings welcoming to all; no formal action or investigation details were announced.
An unidentified speaker identifying themself as mayor issued a public statement condemning recent incidents of hate and urging community support for city staff and LGBTQ+ residents.
The mayor said community celebrations — Juneteenth on Wednesday and Bridal Month on Saturday at Pioneer Park — were "filled with a fun festive spirit," but added that "unfortunately, some people use these events as a way to spew hate, whether to be through social media posts or other actions." The mayor reported that "3 of the pride flags were stolen from downtown Brookings this past weekend," and said derogatory social-media comments were directed at library staff who staffed a booth at a pride event.
The mayor reiterated support for municipal employees. "As mayor, I support our city departments and staff in their efforts to provide services to all," the speaker said, listing characteristics such as "orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status, and other diverse backgrounds" and noting that "Our Brookings library staff works diligently to be welcoming and inclusive to all." The statement described the library booth as part of outreach so residents could obtain library cards and participate in programming.
Linking recent events to broader civic values, the mayor said both Juneteenth and Bridal Month "serve to remind us to condemn prejudice and hate, and instead work together and eliminate racism and inequality." The speaker framed Pride Month as affirming "everyone's right to live without fear of prejudice based on ... orientation or gender identity," and asked residents to "join me in making Brookings a truly welcoming and inclusive community where all people have the opportunity to thrive." The mayor closed with the line, "Hate has no home here."
The statement did not announce any formal police updates, investigations, or specific city actions in response to the reported thefts or online harassment.
