IMPD investigating torched ‘Pence Must Go’ signs
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating two reports of “Pence Must Go” signs being burned.
Both incidents happened last night in the Broad Ripple area.
The first at 54th Street and Primrose Avenue. The other just a few blocks away at 54th Street and Guilford Avenue.
“I have to tell you, I’m very very troubled by this. This is reminiscent of a past that is not somewhere where we want to go,” said Kevin Warren, who is behind the signs.
All that remains of the signs are charred remains.
“You feel violated, it’s very unsettling,” said Clint Maddy, whose sign was torched.
“I don’t think its going to hinder our speech despite the attempt to,” said Eric Reiberg, whose sign was also burned.
The burnings happened late last night, just eight blocks from one other.
“You’re entitled to your opinion and I’m entitled to mine,” said Carrie Reiberg.
The signs were made up after Governor Pence signed the religious freedom law.
“We got the sign as a means to show our support for the LGBT community,” said Maddy.
But not everyone got them for that reason.
“I have pretty strong opinions about what has happened to public education as of late,” said Mrs. Reiberg,
The Reibergs had two signs burned: a “Pence Must Go” sign and an “Expel Pence” sign. Their concern is less about the sign, and more for their safety.
“It was a dangerous act and that’s what upsets me the most is that my children are sleeping right inside the house, said Mrs. Reiberg.
“Trespassing on people’s lawns, stealing their signs, and burning is just an unacceptable behavior,” said Warren.
Warren is selling the signs for $10. The money is going back to Lambda Legal, an LGBT rights law firm.
Warren said they’ve already sold 4,000 signs, but says he’s not done.
“I plan on selling 20,000 signs throughout the state of Indiana. I will be traveling all over the state for the next two years,” said Warren.
IMPD is currently investigating the events as vandalism and criminal mischief, but according to one of the Reibergs, if these acts continue, there could be an arson investigation.