News Summary
The Knoxville Police Department is investigating recent vandalism at two businesses in Downtown Knoxville, including French Fried Vintage and The Wild Side Salon. Both establishments, displaying pride flags, suffered broken windows, leading to suspicions of hate crimes. Community support has surged, urging vigilance against intolerance. The owners advocate for donations to LGBTQ+ organizations and express hope for justice as the investigation continues.
Knoxville – The Knoxville Police Department is currently investigating a series of vandalism incidents that occurred over the weekend at two businesses in Downtown Knoxville, namely French Fried Vintage and The Wild Side Salon. This vandalism has raised suspicions of a possible hate crime, particularly given the businesses’ prominent displays of pride flags.
The incidents took place less than a quarter mile apart and resulted in broken windows at both establishments. Jenny Salata, co-owner of French Fried Vintage, confirmed that only the outer pane of their double-paned window was damaged. Initially, Salata did not perceive the vandalism as a targeted attack until she learned that the neighboring salon had also experienced similar damage to its pride flag display on the same night.
Notably, Salata pointed out that the only windows broken in the vicinity belonged to businesses that showcased pride flags. During their investigation of the scene, she discovered a brick on the street, which they suspect was used to break the glass at French Fried Vintage. Unfortunately, neither of the businesses’ security cameras captured footage of the incidents. The owners hope that nearby businesses may have surveillance video that could help identify the perpetrators.
The vandalism incidents have elicited heightened concerns within the local community about hate crimes, especially in light of increasing hostile rhetoric and violent acts directed at LGBTQIA+ individuals across the nation. Such acts of vandalism contribute to a broader pattern of threats against inclusive and progressive spaces, with historical precedence of targeting similar communities observed in Knoxville.
In light of these events, Salata emphasized the importance of reporting the acts to law enforcement, despite skepticism regarding the likelihood of apprehending the suspects. Subsequently, both businesses worked to clean up the broken glass while deliberately choosing to keep their pride flags visible, as a statement of resilience in the face of adversity.
Community support has surged in the wake of the vandalism, with the owners expressing gratitude for local residents rallying around businesses and calling for a proactive approach against hatred. They have encouraged the public to visit these businesses and consider making donations to support LGBTQ+ organizations. There is a growing concern across Knoxville regarding the escalation of vandalism and hate-related crimes, which has prompted Salata to advocate for sustained community support for local businesses that prioritize safety and inclusivity.
As the investigation by the Knoxville Police continues, the hope remains that justice will be served, and that these events will not hinder the progress towards fostering an inclusive environment for all community members. The behavior displayed through these acts of vandalism indicates a troubling trend of intolerance that necessitates community vigilance and solidarity in combating hate.
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Additional Resources
- WBIR: Knoxville Business Store Vandalized Displaying Pride Flag
- WBIR: Business Owner Believes Store Targeted During Vandalism
- Inside of Knoxville: When Broken Windows Aren’t Just Broken Windows
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hate Crimes
- WBIR: Pride Flag Display Vandalized at Knoxville Business
Author: STAFF HERE KNOXVILLE WRITER
The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
