Vandal removes Pride flag from Virginia Tech ministry, replaces with Confederate flags

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WSET) — Blacksburg police are investigating vandalism at a Virginia Tech ministry over the weekend.

Wesley Campus Minister Bret Gresham said Pride flags the church put up were ripped down. He said church staff noticed they were replaced with Confederate flags.

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Wesley Ministry took to its Facebook page to call it a hate crime.

Police are working to determine who did this. In the meantime, Gresham said the church is working to make sure all members know they are supported, embraced and loved.

The church said they strive to be safe space to support students growing in their faith. They hang Pride flags on their building to help everyone feel included.

“This is a call to continue to love all people and to pray for all people, even the people who have done this and that’s a hard thing, but something we are called to in our faith,” said Gresham.

Gresham said this is not the first time the flags have been torn down. He said they've never been replaced with something like this.

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The church said they’re now getting security cameras for that area. For now, they hope anyone with information goes to police.

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