‘It broke my heart that someone would do this’ – local singer, friends replace Pride Flags in Downtown Burien

“It broke my heart that someone would do this,” said Dianna Leppa when she learned that Pride Flags had been stolen from Downtown Burien this weekend.

As we previously reported (with video showing three suspected thieves), several Pride Flags were stolen in Downtown Burien early Saturday morning, June 8, starting at around 2:30 a.m.

So Leppa – a well-known local singer who has sung the National Anthem at many Seahawks, Mariners and Sonics games – along with her husband Rodney, reached out to Discover Burien to get new ones, then went on a mission to replace around 15 flags on Sunday morning, June 9, 2024.

Leppa rallied her mom, friends Ani O’Leary and Tyler Dowd, along with her family. With assistance from Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling, they collectively brought a renewed sense of pride and love back to the community.

“I wasn’t about to let them dampen the celebration,” she added. “I want people to know that Burien loves and supports everyone.”

Burien Pride continues downtown until 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, 2024 –

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