Pride flag removed from Spring Valley one day after flag-raising ceremony
A village in Rockland removed a pride flag a day after it was raised.
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A village in Rockland removed a pride flag a day after it was raised.
The pride flag flew high in Spring Valley until it was taken down a day later.
"It's sad for the community but it's not surprising," said Joseph Coe, an executive board member with the Rockland Pride Center. "So to see a government official grandstand, put up a flag, and then within hours take it down because he has some personal issue with the leadership of the Pride Center is really sad."
Coe was at the village of Spring Valley’s second annual LGBTQ Pride flag-raising ceremony on Monday, which was organized by his organization.
A village official tells News 12 that the flag only flew for one day last year. When News 12 asked if they'd be willing to put it back up, News 12 was not able to get a firm answer to that question.
A statement from the village recognized the event’s success and message but added the pride center's executive director Brooke Malloy allegedly harassed and threatened Mayor Alan Simon towards the end of the event. It states he even filed a police report.
In a statement, the pride center's executive director says that's not what happened.
"He had said over the phone that she should die,” said Coe. "Then at the end of the event Brooke asked him, 'Why did you tell me to die?' and he said, 'I would say it again louder and twice.' and a discussion ensued where she was sharing her feelings about the impact of that and he said the flag will never be raised again."
As News 12 has reported over the years - Simon has come under scrutiny for using "colorful" language toward journalists, trustees and others.
