Police are investigating after about 200 flags celebrating the start of Pride Month were stolen from the town rotary in Carlisle, Massachusetts.
Travis Snell, chairman of the Carlisle Select Board, said the flags were stolen during the nighttime hours on Monday. He said the flags were legally permitted.
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"Such action and behavior have no place in Carlisle and our police department is working to identify whoever is responsible and they will be held accountable," Snell said in a message on Facebook. "On behalf of the Town of Carlisle, the Select Board would like to reiterate that Carlisle is an inclusive community that respects its freedoms and the rights of individuals."
"Very disrespectful," said Carlisle Select Board member Barney Arnold.
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Residents are wondering who stole the flags, which went up over the weekend.
"It's hard to imagine anyone from Carlisle, because we've always been a very welcoming community," said Arnold. "People are very supportive of one another."
Investigators say there have not been any recent anti-gay incidents in the area.
"It's an unfortunate event here in Carlisle community," said Carlisle Police Chief Andrew Amendola. "It's an inclusive community, and we want everyone to feel safe and welcome, so we're taking this very seriously."
Snell added that stealing property and undermining freedom "is a cowardly act and has no place in our town."
Within hours of the flags being stolen, people came together to replace them.
Organizers of the Pride event say turnout was larger than expected, perhaps as a show of support in the face of what happened.
"The community response has been overwhelming," said Pride co-organizer Rachel Gore Free. "People have come out in solidarity."
