News/Commentary

Teens could face more than a decade behind bars for desecrating ‘Pride’ flags

June 26, 2025 | | Print Article

Four teenagers could face more than a decade behind bars for vandalizing a number of “Pride” flags in Atlanta this week, a draconian punishment that authorities may mete out if they decide to bring hate crime charges against the young men.

The incident took place on Tuesday night in the city’s Midtown neighborhood near the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street, a location of great symbolic importance to Atlanta’s LGBTQ community.

According to investigators, six individuals “coordinated” and then traveled from outside the city to steal the rainbow banners, which were hanging in front of Blake’s On The Park, a landmark gay bar. They then cut the multicolored flags up with a knife while recording video of themselves carrying out the act.

The young men fled the scene on scooters when police were dispatched to the scene after a 911 call. Officers caught and arrested four of the teens, and a manhunt is underway for the remaining suspects.

“They’re in the middle of the street popping wheelies, tearing up flags,” said a man on a 911 call released by police.

The four arrested teenagers have been identified as 18-year-old Logan Matthison, 17-year-old Geami McCarroll, 18-year-old Ahmed Mechkouri from Dallas, GA, and a 16-year-old from Taylorsville, GA, whose name has not been released due to his age.

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They have been charged with obstruction, criminal damage to property, conspiracy, and prowling. The father of the 16-year-old was also cited for failure to supervise his son.

The teens could also face hate crime charges under a state law passed in 2020 that makes crimes which are based on bias or prejudice against identity subject to enhanced penalties. Felony offenses could result in a punishment of up to 12 years in prison.

“A misdemeanor offense can carry an additional six to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000; felonies can result in two to 12 more years behind bars,” according to the New York Times.

The incident which comes near the end of the “Pride” month celebration of homosexuality and transgenderism has drawn national attention with some calling out the gross disparity in punishment for desecrating the sacred rainbow banner while burning American flags don’t merit so much as a slap on the wrist.

“They should be released and charges should be dropped immediately,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said in a post to X. “If you can burn an American flag, you can tear down and rip up a pride flag.”

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Other X users also slammed the potential for hate crimes charges to be brought.

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“As far as it being labeled a hate crime, that’s still under investigation,” Atlanta Police Department Sgt. Brandon Hayes said at a news conference on Tuesday. “We’re still looking at all avenues as far as how that charge will possibly come about.”

“Atlanta Pride condemns the vandalism of Pride flags outside Blake’s on the Park, a long-standing LGBTQ+ establishment in Midtown. This was a targeted act intended to harm and intimidate our community,” Atlanta Pride said in a statement.

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Chris Donaldson
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