Cari Ryding, 49, first moved to the neighbourhood 23 years ago when she was married to her then-husband. The couple told The Boston Globe that it was their first experience of prejudice in the neighborhood.
Advertisement
After the egging of the Ryding’s home, their neighbors came together to show their love and support for the couple ― by flying rainbow flags from all of their houses as well. While they didn’t find who did it, since asking the neighbors about it, those neighbors responded with a handsome message each by hanging their own flags. “Is it just pranksters”, said Lauri. “Get me a flag, ‘” neighbor Penni Rochwerger reportedly stated. The Rydings had hung the flag in honor of the victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida; now it was gone – not to mention their home had been vandalized in an apparent anti-gay attack. “Our relationship was embraced”.
Dennis Gaughan, whose wife, Maura, organized distribution of the rainbow flag, displayed the banner on Monday. “But our neighbors support and love called them to action, and love conquers hate”.
One neighbor suggested asking for a stack of flags from the Rainbow Peace Flag Project, a local organization that gives away the flags free to Natick-area residents. Not just on her house, but everywhere.
“The first thing when I heard about it: ‘All right, I’m going to put up a flag”.
Lois McGillivray, 85, explains the spirit of the neighborhood has always been live and let live, “as long as you’re not digging up the garden and throwing the dirt in my yard”.
Advertisement
“Somebody’s fear called them to action”, adds Lauri.
