Pride flag removed and burned at elementary school in Norwich: Police

A pride flag at Emily Stowe Public School was replaced after original was torn down and burned, reports CTV London’s Sean Irvine.

Provincial police are investigating the alleged removal and burning of a Pride flag in Norwich.

The flag was on a pole outside Emily Stowe Public School. It replaces another one ripped down over the long weekend.

Following inquiries by CTV News London on Thursday, OPP issued a release confirming the flag was removed just before midnight on Friday, May 16.

Officers reported that a pair of suspects with sweatshirts pulled over their heads brought the flag down and then set it ablaze.

No arrests have been made, and investigators are looking for those involved.

President of Oxford County Pride Tami Murray was sent a picture of the burnt remains of the flag Saturday morning.

“Obviously, people reached out with disappointment, fear, and anxiety,” she said. “As you know, we’ve unfortunately experienced this in the past.”

Murray is referring to a long list of incidents in the community. Over the past several years, Pride flags have been reported stolen in small and large quantities. Some of the incidents were caught on camera.

Each theft sparked some residents in town to show their support by placing Pride flags on private property. It is a practice that continues today.

One of the battles facing Oxford County Pride had been with the Township of Norwich itself.

Until the creation of a community flagpole in January 2024, the local council attracted national attention for a previous bylaw that banned the Pride flags from civic property.

Since then, Murray said thefts have eased.

But with Pride month approaching, Murray fears this latest incident could mark the start of more trouble.

“Some of that hate, some of that discrimination and homophobia and transphobia has crossed the border again and has really emboldened people to, you know, direct hate towards certain minority groups,” said Murray.

It is a concern she finds even more disturbing as an elementary school was targeted.

The school board declined the opportunity to speak for itself about the incident with CTV News. Instead, the board issued a statement which confirmed the flag was flying in recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. It took place on Saturday.

While the flag has been replaced, Murray said the loss of the first one will not dampen the effort to challenge hate, “We’re not going to back down. We’re not going away. And that would be my message to people who, you know, are in a negative light. And we are going to continue to promote positive inclusion, diversity, and equity because that’s what our community is about.”

Police are asking anyone with video surveillance to check their security cameras for views of the suspects.