On Tuesday afternoon, the Pink Triangle was extensively vandalized, and a suspect has been arrested.
The San Francisco Police Department arrested 19-year-old San Francisco resident Lester Bamacajeronimo.
SFPD officers were dispatched to the unit block of Christmas Tree Way at 12:29 p.m. regarding some reported vandalism. There, Bamacajeronimo was observed by officers defacing the Pink Triangle. A short foot pursuit ensued, and Bamacajeronimo was arrested.
Officers also seized vandalism tools that Bamacajeronimo had in his possession. Public records indicate Bamacajeronimo was booked into San Francisco County Jail on suspicion of vandalism of more than $400, possession of graffiti instruments, and resisting arrest.
SFPD spokesperson Officer Paulina Henderson declined to provide additional information about what vandalism tools Bamacajeronimo had in possession. "We have no further information to provide for this open and active investigation," said Henderson.
When asked for a mugshot, Henderson said, "As of July 2020, the San Francisco Police Department no longer releases booking photos under most circumstances."
The Pink Triangle atop Twin Peaks was vandalized on Tuesday afternoon. | Photo courtesy of Patrick Carney
"This vandalism is unacceptable in our city and the San Francisco Police Department condemns this act," wrote SFPD in a statement. "San Francisco's Pink Triangle is a powerful symbol of our city's commitment to supporting LGBT rights and commemorates to victims of the past."
In response to the vandalism Mayor Daniel Lurie stated, "This hateful act of vandalism does not reflect San Francisco’s values and will not be tolerated."
The 30th Annual Pink Triangle was installed on Saturday, June 7. Pink Triangle co-founder Patrick Carney tells Hoodline that approximately 26 panels were damaged.
The Pink Triangle consists of 175 bright pink tarps and two pieces of 240-foot-by-five-foot pink sailcloth and held down by about 5,000 12-inch steel spikes. New canvas and sailcloth borders were purchased in 2023.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Carney
As you may be aware, the symbol was used to label homosexual prisoners under Nazi Germany, like yellow stars were used to label Jews, before being reclaimed as a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride.
While the Pink Triangle was illuminated from 2020-2022, in 2023 the art installation returned to a canvas-only display, mostly visible only during daylight hours.
Carney is currently considering whether to replace the damaged tarps or to paint over them. "I’m not sure if I will replace them, or just paint them over," said Carney.
"The replacement tarps are clear down by Fremont, which is an hour each direction, plus I need an advanced reservation to have them bring down the storage pods that contain the extra tarps," added Carney.
Temporarily, Carney said he might paint over the black paint. "Of course, that is a temporary fix since the paint will just flake off, so all those 26 tarps will have to be thrown away," said Carney.
Stickers stating "Stop Transing Kids" have also been placed at the Pink Triangle. | Photo courtesy of Patrick Carney
This isn't the first time the Pink Triangle has been vandalized. In 2009, the Pink Triangle was struck by an arsonist who burned approximately 20-30 feet of tarp in the middle of the night.
Additionally, Carney tells Hoodline that someone has been placing stickers near the informational signs at the top of Twin Peaks. The stickers read "Stop transing kids," and "Paid for by disaffected Democrats and terrified parents."
