Recently, on Sunday, September 15, the Re-Find Boutique in Jonesville was vandalized.
Police Chief Anthony Cambridge posted that “officers found graffiti, vandalism, and a torn and broken Ukrainian flag. A few hours later, the Hinesburg police received another call that the same suspect returned to the business and once again targeted the Ukrainian flag. This time, the person described as a white male driving a white pickup truck, threatened employees not to hang the Ukrainian flag back up. ‘If you put those flags back up, I will come back and break the windows.'”
Many of us are wondering what we can do to support the owner, to act in solidarity and for the right to free expression. Of course, we can support this beautiful store (https://www.facebook.com/refindboutique/). We can also hang Ukrainian flags from our mailboxes and windows.
This is a community where everyone should feel free to express their views without fear of violence or silencing. By hanging the flag, we will show that acts of intimidation and violence will not work to silence us. Hate will have no home here in Richmond.
Richmond Racial Equity has acquired some small Ukrainian flags for distribution. Please contact Alexis Lathem if you would like one (alexislathem@gmail.com).
The case is under active investigation: anyone who has any information should contact the Richmond Police Department. (482-3397).
