Rainbow benches vandalised in Switzerland

Vandalised benches: Lausanne City Council lodges a complaint Keystone-SDA

The Lausanne city authorities have lodged a complaint after at least four recently inaugurated rainbow benches were vandalised and repainted white. The damaged furniture will be replaced.

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“The city systematically lodges a complaint when there is damage to street furniture and public buildings,” Pierre-Antoine Hildbrand, the municipal councillor in charge of security, told Keystone-ATS on Saturday, referring to a report in 24 heures. “It’s a bit sad to attack benches because of their colour,” he added.

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On September 23, the City of Lausanne inaugurated 11 benches in rainbow and trans colours as part of its LGBTIQ+ policy. The ceremony was marked by the presence of opponents denouncing the city authorities’ “pinkwashing” of the queer movement.

Translated from French by DeepL/ts

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