VALDOSTA, Ga. — A South Georgia couple says their yard is now the center of hate crimes.
Clay Bass and Brian Meeks live in a home in Valdosta with more than 300 pride flags decorating their lawn.
Bass says people throw trash in their yard, steal flags, and at one point replaced one with an American flag. A few weeks ago, the couple says somebody took a flag down, burned it, and bent the flag pole.
But instead of backing down the two are putting more and more up everyday. They have about 300 out right now, with 350 more as gifts waiting to be put up.
Bass says it's a way to combat hate with something better.
"Figured we'd spread the love and maybe be a beacon for our community and help the ones that are afraid to come out or are fearful of what might happen if they do with the violence and the hate crimes," said Bass. "We just figured we'd share it and let love be love."
Bass says they hung the burned pride flag back up when they began to add new ones. Valdosta Police are investigating.
