Two teenagers have been charged after a Pride flag was allegedly torn down, damaged, and burned at a secondary school in Markham, according to York Regional Police.
Police say the incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Monday at a school near Yonge Street and Clark Avenue. The two accused allegedly entered the school property, removed a Pride flag from its holder, ripped it, and attempted to set it on fire.
School staff reported the incident to police on Tuesday after discovering the burned flag. Investigators launched an inquiry and treated the case as a potential hate crime. The investigation was led by the York Regional Police Hate Crime Prevention Unit.
Following the investigation, police identified and arrested two 18-year-old Markham residents. Sepehr Abadar and Mahan Mohammad Radmard have each been charged with mischief under $5,000. Investigators allege the offence was motivated by hate.
In a statement, York Regional Police emphasized that hate-motivated incidents will not be tolerated.
“York Regional Police takes all hate-motivated incidents seriously and will not tolerate any form of hate crime,” the service said in a news release.
Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information to contact York Regional Police. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers.
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