ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – An Albuquerque man is warning others after video captured a group of people stealing decorations right from his front yard that were meant to celebrate pride month. “I was scared I was hurt, I felt violated,” said the victim who wants to stay anonymous out of fear of retaliation.
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That’s how the northeast Albuquerque homeowner felt after seeing security camera footage early this morning showing a group of guys targeting his pride decorations. “It actually brought me to a moment of tears and hurt,” he said.
Video shows the group taking off with two large inflatable hearts and damaging a flagpole around 1:15 a.m. on Tuesday. The decorations were up for less than 24 hours. “Then they ran off laughing, thinking it was funny; it was a game they were bored of. It’s a shame that’s how they choose to fill their time,” he said.
He says his goal was to show support for the LGBTQ community instead he’s left with disappointment over what happened. Claiming the group shouted a slur as they took off. “With the message that they said when they drove off, with some very hurtful language it told me, it was more the message that was portrayed on them than the actual item,” he said.
While the homeowner says neighbors and friends have offered to replace the inflatables and watch out for any other activity, the victim says he wants others to be aware of what happened. “If you don’t believe in it, you’re not part of it, then simply walk away. Drive on, you don’t have to spread hate,” said the victim.
The homeowner says he plans on putting out replacement decorations as soon as he gets them.
