East Providence mayor: Pride crosswalk vandalism ‘brings concern’

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — An East Providence man faces a misdemeanor charge for allegedly vandalizing a Pride crosswalk in front of City Hall Sunday.

In an interview with ABC6 News Monday, Mayor Bob DaSilva said East Providence police saw 40-year-old Antonio Formisano vandalizing that painted crosswalk on Taunton Avenue.

“We put this Pride crosswalk out there just as a symbol to all people in our community that we have an administration, and a city, and a staff of employees that embraces people of all backgrounds,” DaSilva said. “When you purposely come in to destroy that symbolism, it’s a bad representation of who you are.”

Tire skid marks across the crosswalk were still visible Monday afternoon.

Formisano was arrested and arraigned in court Monday on a vandalism charge.

A judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, released him on his own recognizance, and referred him to the public defender’s office.

Formisano’s case is due back in court on July 8 for a pre-trial conference.

40-year-old Antonio Formisano of East Providence faces a misdemeanor vandalism charge (Photo provided by East Providence Police Department).

“We try to run a city, and communicate to the community, that we are a municipality that embraces people of all walks — doesn’t matter who you are, doesn’t matter what your identification is — we want you to be part of our community,” DaSilva said. “That’s what this represents, and to have somebody purposely deface it just brings concern.”

It’s not the first time a themed crosswalk has been vandalized in East Providence.

American flag painted crosswalks were vandalized in both 2024 and 2025.