2 charged after Pride flag burned at Markham school
York police's hate crime prevention unit charged two 18-year-olds with mischief after the flag was ripped and set on fire.
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Two 18-year-olds have been charged after a Pride flag at a Markham school was ripped and burned late Monday night.
York Regional Police said the two accused entered a secondary school near Yonge Street and Clark Avenue around 11 p.m. and removed the Pride flag from its holder. They then ripped it and attempted to set it on fire.
Police investigated the incident as a potential hate crime on Tuesday after receiving reports the flag had been burned. The service's hate crime prevention unit charged both with mischief under $5,000.
York Regional Police said in a statement they take all hate-motivated incidents seriously and will not tolerate any form of hate crime. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police or leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.