NBC News OUT reports that Los Angeles School Police will be providing additional patrols around the elementary school as they continue the ongoing investigation of the burning of a Pride flag at the school.
and report:
A spokesperson for Los Angeles Police said Wednesday the incident is being investigated as a “vandalism hate crime.”
Alan Hamilton, a deputy chief with the LAPD’s Valley Bureau, said in a statement Wednesday that the Pride flag was in a potted plant.
“There was a small potted plant that was set on fire on the campus and the plant had a small (4 x 6 inch) PRIDE flag inside the potted plant container. Both the plant and the flag were destroyed by the fire,” he said.
“There are no suspects in custody at this time,” Hamilton added.
my heart goes out to the 4 x 6 inch PRIDE flag, the small potted plant, and their respective families as they go through this immensely difficult time. pic.twitter.com/Gk08MyTwni
— siraj hashmi (@SirajAHashmi) May 31, 2023
🫠🫠🫠
— Dave Rubin (@RubinReport) May 31, 2023
The plant’s name will be released pending notification of relatives.
— MJ Tomko (@Tomko_1) May 31, 2023
Omfg. This was the story? This is even more ridiculous than I imagined.
— VonPhul (@BaronVonPhul) May 31, 2023
As someone that lives just a couple miles from the site of this atrocity, I am literally shaking right now. I’m scared to walk outside, and I can’t imagine how I am expected to go to work tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/xQEG5ws7AS
— Reubal (@reubal) May 31, 2023
Y’all really don’t care about anything other than narrative
— 𝕂𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕊𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕚𝕒𝕝𝕂🇦🇽 (@CallMeK1123) May 31, 2023
I’m old enough to remember the ACLU saying burning the US flag was protected speech. I guess the same does not apply to the flag of the state religion.
— Lady Hecate ⚫️ (@hecate40) May 31, 2023
Why was it at an elementary school?
— Melissa (@40Zetrel) May 31, 2023
Why are there gay pride flags at elementary schools?
— Mostly Peaceful Memes (@MostlyPeacefull) May 31, 2023
Glad this incredibly important story made national news…
— Adam Klein (@stellamydog) May 31, 2023
How about no sexual orientation flags at elementary schools. Let’s start there.
— Richards (@ReedRichards04) May 31, 2023
This seems dubious to me, even as a subsequent add-on charge to a vandalism case
— Rational Thinker 69 (@Rationalist69) May 31, 2023
The Supreme Court ruled flag burning was expressive conduct protected by the First Amendment
Texas v Johnson (1989)
— Mediocrates (@BGWhite42) May 31, 2023
I literally can’t roll my eyes hard enough. pic.twitter.com/0M5FxsQftL
— Lori (@MrsS_73) May 31, 2023
It’s 9/11 all over again
— Carlton Banks (@TheBasedCarlton) May 31, 2023
It turns out not all of the parents were thrilled that the elementary school was going to have a Pride Day assembly:
Renato Lira, director of the San Fernando Valley LGBTQ Center, said there is a Pride Day assembly at the school scheduled for Friday and that the organization is working with school and Los Angeles police to make sure students “are going to be safe going to school and when they’re leaving the campus.”
June is Pride Month dedicated to recognizing the accomplishments and historical discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
June is Pride Month? We hadn’t heard, they’ve been so low-key about it.
***
Update:
Rep. Adam Schiff is deeply disturbed:
I am deeply distressed by the burning of the Pride Flag at a San Fernando Valley elementary school.
Every child deserves safety and acceptance. We must fight against discrimination and create an inclusive environment for all.
Hate has no place in our schools and communities.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) May 31, 2023
***
Related:
UK police want to interview man over his Twitter commentary on video of pride flags https://t.co/D1DxyuRd1Z
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) January 8, 2023
