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Washington teens arrested for scuffing Pride crosswalk with scooters could face 5 years behind bars

June 11, 2024 | | Print Article

Washington teens arrested for allegedly defacing a “Pride” mural learned just how severely the state considered their scooter skid marks that could land them YEARS behind bars.

A trap baited for the perpetual victimhood class found three teens in Spokane, Washington snared after witnesses spotted them riding rental scooters in the street where activists and their allies had painted a mural of the “Pride Progress” flag.

Taking place a day before a new hate crime law went into effect, 19-year-old Ruslan V. V. Turko and the two unnamed minors who were arrested with him now faced up to five years in jail after being charged with first-degree malicious mischief.

Turko appeared in court Thursday where prosecutors had sought a $15,000 bond they justified by citing the cost to repaint the mural. However, KREM reported that the young man was released on his own recognizance under the condition that he not go near the crosswalk or the teens who had been with him.

The outlet’s review of court documents detailed witness statements who claimed one of the minors had shouted, “F*** you F*****,” and, “Go to Hell,” when confronted by onlookers.

Speaking with KREM, Kaylee Gaines McGee recounted how the cops had been called on the teens for leaving marks on the mural no different than those from any of the cars driving over the painted intersection.

“It sucks to be reminded in moments like this that there are still people that have, you know, hate in their hearts for other people,” she said after the mural had only recently been repainted after someone had reportedly lit it on fire May 16.

In March, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) had signed legislation introduced by state Sen. Andy Billig (D) “concerning criminal penalties for bias-motivated defacement of private or public property” that left the teens facing up to five years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine if found guilty.

Lime, the San Francisco-based company that owns the scooters, had already released a statement in strong opposition to the actions of the teens and declared the mural would henceforth be a “no-go zone” for operations.

A statement specified, “All of us at Lime condemn these vile acts in no uncertain terms. At a time when our teams at Lime are beginning pride celebrations around the globe, it is disturbing to see the hate taking place in Spokane. Lime is taking immediate action against the perpetrators and doubling down on our support of Spokane Pride and Spokane Arts. Lime is proud to put time and resources into celebrating Pride Month each year and supporting LGBTQ+ organizations working to uplift and protect queer people in cities around the world. We will not let the hateful few spoil the joy of Pride Month in Spokane, and are grateful for those working to make Spokane more welcoming for all.”

Meanwhile, reactions to the penalty, similar to other charges previously brought for rainbow-colored crosswalk marring, were incredulous, “Since when do kids get LOCKED UP & charged with felonies for riding scooters in America…while rapists, muggers, car thieves, kidnappers, shoplifters, pedophiles & murderers get released by Democrat lawmakers in every blue city in America.”

Kevin Haggerty
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