'Terrible, hateful': Students speak out after Pride flag torn down at London, Ont., high school

A Pride flag is back flying in front of Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London, Ont., after avideo Tuesday on social media showed students tearing it down and throwing it in the garbage.

In the video, astudentwhose face is covered with black clothing is seen tugging on the flag,ripping it down and throwing it to the ground while other students cheer. A voice is heard yelling, "Take it off!Take it off!"

Another student is seen pickingup the flag off the ground and carrying it toward a garbage can while a voice yells, "Put it in the garbage! Put it in the garbage!" Other images obtained by CBCNews from social media show a Pride flag in a garbage can.

Thames Valley District School Board officials condemned the actions and saidthe flag was immediately replaced.

The incident happened the same dayLondoners were being encouraged to practise tolerance as they remembered members of the Afzaalfamily who were killed two years ago in a truckattackpolice saywas motivated by anti-Muslim hate.

"I want to be very, very clear that acts of hate and acts of discrimination have no place in the Thames Valley District School Board, and that we will always affirm identities and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour," said director of education Mark Fisher.

The video was handed over to the school principal and superintendent, who are investigating to determine who wasinvolved, Fisher said. London police also confirmed they areinvestigating.

"When that investigation reaches its conclusion, appropriate consequences and sanctions will be levied," Fisher said.

'This shouldn't have happened'

Studentsat the northwest London high school are calling the incidentan act of hate.

At the time, flags were lowered out of respect for the Afzaals,said Grade 12 studentOla Elegbede.

WATCH | High school students condemn Pride flag vandalism:

London high school students condemn Pride flag vandalism

1 year ago

Duration 0:57

Students at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School say the vandalism of a Pride flag at the school was immature and hateful.

"Yesterday was supposed to be peaceful. Yesterday was supposed to be asad day,aday of remembrance for the family."

Elegbedesaid the incident was immature and hateful.

"This crime is not just vandalism ... it wasa crime towardpeople of a specific sexual orientation."

Naomi McColl, a Grade 11 student, expressed disappointment that her school has beenassociated withdisrespectful behaviour toward the LGBTQ community.

"As a part of this community, I really wish people were a bit more open minded, especially in this generation," she said.

McColl said she's amember of the LGBTQ community andpeople at Banting have beenkind and open to her, but it's"pretty sad" to find out some haveharboured feelings of hate.

"You should just treat everyone with human respect and decency," she said."There was no need to show that disrespect openly."

Grade 12student Mohamad Dadakois also calling for people to show respect. He saidthis is the first time he's seen an act of hate toward the LGBTQ community at the school.

"For yearsI've seen the love, the respect towardeveryone, and this shouldn't have happened," he said."You must respect everyone even if you have different opinions, different religions, beliefs.

"It's supposed to be a place to learn to respect others, not to hate others."

Students and staff are shocked, some angered, some disappointed ... That being said, I honestly believe that the actions of a few should not tarnish the diligent work that our school community does every day to promote equity, diversity and safety for students and teachers.- Daniel RenBoudreau, teacher at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School

Daniel Ren Boudreau,a teacher as well as a Pride/Fiertadviserat Sir Frederick Banting,expressed deep sadness over the incident.

"Having to see our admin secretary removing it from the thrash was heartbreaking for me personally. Students and staff are shocked, some angered, some disappointed that this has occurred," said Boudreau. "That being said, I honestly believe that the actions of a few should not tarnish the diligent work that our school community does every day to promote equity, diversity and safety for students and teachers."

Boudreau saidstudents and staff are resilient, strong and empathetic, andwill continue to build strong relationships despite such a random act of vandalism and hate.

Create safe space for all students

The incident makes the role of public education more important than it's ever been to create safe spaces for all students, and enforce and protect the Ontario Human Rights Code, said Fisher.

"Really, that's what the Pride flag is about," he said.

"It's about a symbol of inclusion and a symbol of safety, and any destruction to that will be taken very seriously. We replaced that flag immediately like we would in any situation where there is vandalism toa symbol of inclusion."