What was initially thought to be a case of antigay vandalism turns out to have been activity by the Philadelphia Water Department.
Late Monday night, a passerby spotted two men, one with a sledgehammer and one with a chisel, whacking at the rainbow crosswalks at 13th and Locust streets. Police responded but the individuals had already left.
On Tuesday, PWD confirmed that the men were employees of the agency and were looking into a water-main break.
“A Water Department crew was investigating a leak on a water main and, as part of the investigation, had to uncover a buried valve box cover to identify the location,” the department said in a statement posted on Facebook. “Crews parked the truck on the 200 block of South Broad Street, where the leak was first reported. We apologize for any concern this may have caused.”
It is unclear if the digging left any permanent damage to the crosswalks and, if so, when it will be repaired.
The crosswalks, a joint project of the city and Philly Pride Presents, were installed this summer and officially dedicated at the July block party celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Annual Reminders, one of the first LGBT-rights demonstrations in the nation. Several original demonstrators were invited to walk the crosswalks during the dedication.