Police reported the arrest of two teenagers suspected of burning a rainbow flag after a video of the incident circulated on social media earlier this month. Investigators from the 12th Division Criminal Investigative Bureau, Region of Peel, completed an investigation that began after a video of a rainbow flag being burned on the ground by students at a school circulated on social media.
A recorded video of an incident in which a group of students filmed themselves setting a rainbow flag on fire at Cawthra Park Secondary School resulted in the need to issue condemnation statements by the Peel District School Board (PDSB) and the school administration where they called it “a hateful homophobic, transphobic and biphobic act”.
Peel County Police received a notice of circulating video on social media on June 8, 2021.
After a thorough investigation, two 16-year-olds from Mississiauga were arrested on June 17, 2021, in connection with the incident.
Investigators, after consulting with the Peel Crown Attorney’s office, referred the cases of both teenagers to a special youth pre-charge diversion program.
Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, young people who have committed a crime may face extrajudicial measures, the police explained in a press release.
“These extrajudicial measures are put in place to hold youth accountable for their offending behaviours and assist them in not re-offending”, the press release said.
If the teens do not successfully complete the correction program, they may face criminal charges of harassment, mischief, and harassing communication.
Police investigated the incident as being motivated by hate and said their Diversity, Justice and Inclusion Office was “actively involved” in the investigation.
Pic: screenshot from youtube.com