Dutch students to face charges over defacing ‘gaybra’ crossing

Five students at Leiden university face charges of vandalism and discrimination for damaging a rainbow zebra crossing as part of a fraternity ritual.

The public prosecution department has said it plans to prosecute the five, who were aged 19 and 21 at the time. All were members of the university’s Quintus student society.

The group painted over the rainbow crossing, meant to celebrate diversity, as a prank in October 2016. One student then took his shirt of and gave a Nazi salute.

The incident was filmed by the owner of a nearby cafe and circulated on social media, leading to a storm of criticism.

The rainbow zebra crossing was unveiled in 2015 during Coming Out Day by Leiden council and gay rights lobby group COC. There are dozens all over the world.

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