Congleton Pride said it is disappointed that another of its banners has been torn down and stolen. This follows a pattern of similar incidents in recent years. The latest banner was removed from a busy roundabout near the bridge over the River Dane at the end of Mountbatten Way sometime between the evening of Friday 13th June and the morning of Saturday 14th June.
“It deeply saddens me that our Congleton Pride banner has been removed, destroyed, or stolen for the sixth time. Year after year, we face this same issue, and it seems no other banner receives this level of hate. For the past seven years, we’ve strived to create a fantastic day for the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies in Congleton and surrounding areas, demonstrating solidarity and support. Despite the hate from a minority, Pride will continue to be strong and undeterred. The pavement railings are often used by community groups to advertise their events and Congleton Pride’s was the only banner affected.”
– Ronan Clayton, founder of Congleton Pride
“Our movement is more than a single banner, we will persist. In the seven years since our foundation our movement in this town has grown. We have achieved this from the kindness and support of the vast majority of the town. We will replace banners that are lost, we will report any incidence of damage to the police, we will simply continue and turn the hate of destruction into putting more energy into continuing making Congleton a town safe for all. The incident has been reported to Cheshire Police as a hate crime. The Congleton Pride team urges anyone with information or CCTV footage from the area to contact the police as soon as possible.”
– Malcolm Pope, Chair of Congleton Pride
“It is very troubling that this has happened again. Pride is about inclusion. It’s about saying everyone is welcome to live as themselves and love who they love. The Congleton Pride event is a joyful, free, family-friendly day out, one of the highlights of the summer in our town. The person who tore down this banner clearly opposes Pride, so I can only assume they prefer exclusion, hate and discrimination. There is no place for these things in Congleton, and the vast majority of people here are kind and inclusive. Someone has the Pride banner or has disposed of it – if anyone knows where it is or who they are, please contact the police.”
– Cllr Kay Wesley, Chair of Congleton Town Council’s Community Committee
Congleton Pride’s mission is to promote visibility and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ people in the town and it works with local organisations, the Town Council and the community to ensure everyone feels welcome and safe in Congleton.
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