Updated 1:43 p.m. June 9.
A Patton Township man was arrested over the weekend for allegedly vandalizing several Pride flags and decorations in downtown State College and yelling homophobic slurs at bystanders.
Markos S. Bejiga, 28, is accused of setting fire to the Pride flag affixed to the front of Faith United Church of Christ, 300 E. College Ave. According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by borough police, Bejiga was seen on door camera footage spraying an unknown substance on the flag before the bottom left portion of the flag was damaged by fire that police said endangered the building. Rev. Jes Kast wrote on Facebook that the flag was new and had been put up just days earlier.
Bejiga also damaged Pride decorations outside of Café 210 West, 210 W. College Ave., and Chumley’s. 108 W. College Ave., and climbed a light pole in attempt to burn another pride flag on Friday morning, according to the affidavit.
A Café 210 employee reported that Bejiga walked up, made a comment along the lines of “get these f— flags out of here,” then tore down the Pride banner that lined the fence in front of the bar’s patio. An officer also found that all of the Pride decorations outside of Chumley’s “were destroyed and scattered across the sidewalk,” according to the affidavit.
A downtown business owner told police that he saw Bejiga climb a light pole on the 100 block of South Allen Street and attempt to set a Pride flag on fire. The business owner said he pulled Bejiga down from the pole to prevent him from igniting the flag, police wrote.
Later Friday morning, a woman reported that Bejiga approached her outside of Target in Patton Township and made a comment about “all of the f— flags hanging up downtown.” When the woman told Bejiga his remark was offensive, he allegedly responded “that is what’s wrong with this country and that is why there is terrorists, because of you f— f—.”
The vandalism and verbal harassment occurred at the start of Pride weekend in State College. The annual Pride parade and festival were held on Saturday in the borough.
Kast encouraged LGBTQIA community members and and allies to “stand firm in courage and joy, do not be afraid,” and said she prayed for the perpetrator.
“I pray for any who think this type of vandalism is morally ok. It isn’t,” Kast wrote. “I pray that whatever anger or distress you are experiencing that you receive loving support and I do pray you may understand that this action is wrong and we will not accept this as a community. Mercy and forgiveness await you.
“To all, please do not let these inflamed times promote violence. We all have a choice in how we respond and I beg us all to keep choosing the courage to love and the courage of peace. I beg us all, love your neighbor.”
Bejiga was arrested on Saturday and charged with a felony count of risking catastrophe, one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct and a summary count of criminal mischief.
He was arraigned by District Judge Steven Lachman and was unable to post $10,000 bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
