In front of the Catholic St. Sebastian Church on Mannheim’s Market Square, an unknown person on Monday evening cut down the flagpole bearing a rainbow flag, police said. The roughly nine-meter mast collapsed onto the Market Square at about 6:45 p.m.; no one was injured.
A staff member of the parish confronted the suspect, who then ran on foot toward Parkring. The mast and flag were left behind. Several witnesses observed the incident, and one person alerted the police. Pastor Lukas Glocker filed charges.
The man is estimated to be between 53 and 60 years old, has a stocky build and black, wavy hair. He wore a black T-shirt, short brown shorts, dark turquoise sneakers, and carried a red plastic bag. The criminal police are investigating for property damage and are asking witnesses to call (0621) 174-4444.
The rainbow flag had been raised for Monnem Pride. The Catholic parish of Mannheim had joined this year for the third time, together with the Evangelical Church and other Christian initiatives as part of an ecumenical network involved in the event. Pastor Glocker deliberately initiated the flag-raising: “The flag makes visible that every person, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, origin, religion, appearance, or skin color, should be treated with respect and dignity.” The parish leadership team explained that rainbow flags in front of churches are a visible sign that all people should be treated with respect. They believe that hate, exclusion and devaluation harm the soul and also disrupt the sense of community.
Marcy Ellerton
