Pride flag torn down, burned at Norwich school

Police are investigating after a Pride flag was torn down and burned at a school in Norwich, Ont.

Ontario Provincial Police say at about 11:35 p.m. on Friday, May 16, two people went to the Emily Stowe Public School, removed the flag from the flagpole and lit it on fire.

Police are seeking footage of two people wearing hooded sweatshirts who were at or near the school between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Police are asking neighbours of the school to check their surveillance cameras.

Police are asking that anyone with information about this investigation, including video surveillance to contact the Oxford OPP immediately at 1-888-310-1122 or *677 via cell phone.

The flying of Pride flags has been a flash point of controversy in Norwich, a small town located about 60 kilometres east of London. In 2023 township council voted to exclude Pride flags and all other non-civic flags from being flown on municipal property.

In January of 2024 the township reversed that decision, after the policy had increased tension and division in the community.