
'Hate and discrimination have no place in any TVDSB schools': Investigation underway after pride flag torn down
Students at Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School in London, Ont. are being investigated after a video was posted online showing students tearing down a LGBTQ2S+ pride flag.
Video obtained by CTV News London shows a student tearing down a pride flag at the secondary school on Tuesday.
The video shows a male proceeding to kick the flag while others surrounding him cheer him on. One student began shouting “take it off” and “put it in the garbage.”
Some students at the school told CTV News London on Wednesday that they’re saddened to see something like this happen, especially during Pride Month and on the second year anniversary of the day the Afzaal family was killed in an alleged hate motivated attack.
Mark Fisher, the director of education at the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) said, “Let me be clear, hate and discrimination have no place in any TVDSB schools.”
Fisher told CTV News London that the pride flag has since been replaced and that the board takes this incident “very seriously.”
“We have contacted the police because we consider this a hate crime. We don’t have any tolerance for any of those activities at any of our schools” Fisher added.
The students involved in the incident are being investigated.
“Based on what they gather students could face suspension or potentially expulsion,” Fisher said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

DEVELOPING All sides, including senior Liberals calling for Speaker to resign, as Rota set to meet party reps
Pressure is ramping up for House of Commons Speaker Anthony Rota to resign, with all parties now publicly calling for him to 'do the honourable thing,' and vacate the Speaker's chair over his invitation to and the House's subsequent recognition of a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Helicopter carrying multiple people crashes near Prince George, B.C.
A helicopter with "multiple people on board" crashed near Prince George, B.C., Tuesday morning, according to authorities.
Food Banks Canada gives majority of governments a D+ in poverty reduction
A new report from Food Banks Canada says governments across the country are not doing enough to address poverty.
Ontario businessman loses $38K in cheque-cashing scam
An Ontario businessman says he has to pay about $38,000 after he was the victim of a cheque-cashing scam and failed to immediately report the fraudulent activity to his bank. The businessman says that the reason for the delay is because he doesn't use online banking.
Canadian air force investigating 'inappropriate and unapproved' call sign broadcast on U.K. flight
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is investigating an ‘inappropriate and unapproved’ call sign that was transmitted electronically from one of its aircraft on Monday.
'Deeply hurtful': Polish ambassador condemns Nazi veteran's invitation to Canada's Parliament
Polish ambassador to Canada says House Speaker Anthony Rota's apology doesn’t go far enough after a Nazi veteran was honoured in the House of Commons last Friday.
What happens after you swallow gum? Experts weigh in
If you’re one of many people who have swallowed a whole piece of chewing gum by accident, one question likely popped in your head right after that startling sensation.
Poster advertising 'whites-only' children's playtime sparks outrage in B.C. community
Police have launched an investigation into a poster inviting "proud parents of European children" to participate in racially segregated playtime in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
Developer says it's moving to build 5,000 rental units because of Liberals' GST break
A Toronto-based real estate company says it is planning to build 5,000 new rental units in urban centres across the country as a result of the federal government's decision to eliminate GST charges on rental developments.