By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
Growing concerns have sparked, after a possibility of "vandalism" may have taken place on a memorial garden in front of The Temple in Salina.
People across Salina have raised some concerns regarding possible "vandalistic actions" that may have occurred on the Marsha P. Johnson Memorial Garden in front of The Temple on Saturday, June 7th and Monday, June 9th.
According to Josh Gilmore of the Smoky Hill Equality Coalition, the memorial garden was installed on June 1st and it consists of 7 flags (2 original Pride flags, 2 Progressive flags, 1 Intersex Inclusive flag, 1 Transgender flag and 1 Gay Men Pride flag) surrounding the garden. Gilmore stated that 5 of the 7 flags were possibly "stolen" and are currently missing. Those flags include 2 Original Pride flags, 2 Progressive flags and 1 Intersex Inclusive flag.
Gilmore stated that on Saturday afternoon a wedding was held at The Temple. Before the wedding, the memorial garden was intact and was not "possibly vandalized." After the wedding ceremony was finished, Gilmore arrived to The Temple at 6:30 pm and noticed soil from the memorial garden was spread or "possibly kicked" across the sidewalk.
Then again on Monday, Gilmore received a call from his secretary stating that the garden was "possibly vandalized" between the times of 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm. This time is when the 5 flags went missing.
Gilmore stated that no reports have been made to authorities, because there have been no eye-witness accounts or proof if this was in fact vandalism.
