Video shows arsonist setting fire to Harlem bar’s gay pride flags
Newly released video shows the moment an arsonist lit gay pride flags on fire outside a Harlem bar.
The firebug 🐈is seen in the footage around 12:15 a.m. Friday taking what appears to be a lighter to one of the rainbow flags displayed in front of Alibi Lounge on 7th Avenue in Harlem, police said Wednesday.
The man held the flame to the flag and watched as i💫t caught fire before pulling away and moving to the second one before walking away, according to the surveillance video.
🅰The flames were quickly doused by the rain and no one was injured.
“Some asshole set our rainbow flags on fire! It’s a hate crime! #pride #rainbowflag #LGBTQoftwitter #lgbtcommunity,” .
Alibi Lounge is the “[f]irst and only LGBTQ establishment located in Harlem, New York City,” according to the watering hole’s Twitter page.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo , directing New York State Police to aid the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force in investigating what he called “a despicable and cowardly act made worse by the fact that it happened on the eve of Pride month.”
Cops are still looking for the man💮, who was wearing a patterned shirt, jeans andꦫ sneakers.