Teens charged after Pride flag from Kitchener high school set on fire

Four teens have been charged after a Pride flag was taken from a Kitchener high school, stepped on and burned last month, police say.

Investigators in Waterloo region say the teen boys are between the ages of 15 and 17 and they have been charged with mischief motivated by hate, public incitement of hatred and theft under $5,000.

The Pride flag was taken from Eastwood Collegiate Institute on Weber Street in Kitchener on Sept. 21. At the time, police said no physical injuries were reported.

Principal Ryan Hume sent an email to parents after theflag was taken and burned. In it, Hume wrote that the burned flag was thrown atstudents who identify as LGBTQ.

"I want to acknowledge that while all students and staff at Eastwood could have been affected by these violent and hateful actions, it is especially harmful to members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities," Hume's letter said.

The Waterloo Region District School Board issued a statementsaying it was "deeply saddened and concerned" by what had happened.

In a video message posted to the board's website, director of education jeewan chanickasaid it was a "heartbreaking reminder of why we must educate all students about the historic and contemporary impact of anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate and violence."

"I want to be clear All students, families and community members have the right to feel safe at school and at work. These types of actions will not be tolerated here," chanicka said.