Salvation Army vandalism

Salvation Army vandalism

Vandals who left graffiti and broken windows at a Salvation Army Thrift Store in Dalton, Ga., may have been inspired by a national boycott of the Christian charity that sees it as anti-gay.

"It's possible, but who knows?" Dalton Police Department spokesman Bruce Frazier said.

The anarchy symbol, a capital "A" inside a circle, was spray-painted on the windows of the Salvation Army thrift store at 1102 North Thornton Ave., three windows were smashed and a panel truck was spray painted at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, when the store's alarm system sounded.

The vandal or vandals also spray painted the symbol of a heart = heart and the words "love all fear none."

Dalton Salvation Army Corps Officer Major Art Fultz isn't sure if the vandalism was inspired by the boycott or if it's just random vandalism.

He said similar graffiti had been left near railroad tracks nearby.

Fultz said the Salvation Army serves the needy without discrimination.

"In no case are gays excluded," he said.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.