The city of Houghton police department seeks information on a flag stolen from the parade of nations decoration in downtown. On Friday the Houghton police department posted to its Facebook pages photos showing an individual removing the flag of Israel from downtown. The incident occurred around 13:0 am. The man appears riding a bicycle in one photo and was wearing dark colored pants and a dark colored jacket. Anyone with information is asked to call the Houghton police department at 906 482 2121. Find more details here.
The flags appearing throughout downtown Houghton and Hancock represent the diverse countries students come from to seek their education in a community once home to many immigrants. The parade of nations, and flags hung up in each city, recognizes an opportunity to meet and connect.
the parade of nations has been going on, I think ever since I’ve been a police officer, so it’s over thirty years. It’s a way to try to highlight the diversity of our community. But also tie in the Michigan Tech at one time also Finlandia with our community. There’s all the food, all the culture, it’s always been a very enjoyable event. and I think the whole meaning of it is to try to bring everybody together and let us see that we can all coexist in the same community and enjoy each other. – John Donnelly, Chief of Police, City of Houghton Police Department
In the past week the Utah Valley University was the site of the murder of Charlie Kirk. In the local area the Young American’s for Freedom 9/11 memorial was vandalized on Michigan Technological University’s campus. In addition to the stolen Israeli flag from the Parade of Nations decorations. Houghton Police Chief John Donnelly says there are better ways to effect change in communities than through acts of violence or property damage.
it is obviously disturbing when people go to violence or to damaging property or anything else like that. I think we will always have people that disagree with other people’s opinions. And I wish we could all just debate it out, instead of resorting to violence or destruction or theft. It’s natural that people are going to disagree on stuff, but I think there’s better ways to go about it. just trying to talk through instead of (through) horrendous acts of violence and damaging property. – John Donnelly, Chief of Police, City of Houghton Police Department
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