A Peterborough man has been charged after allegedly screaming homophobic slurs and burning a Pride flag.
According to police, the incident occurred on Sunday evening in the area of George and Hunter streets. Witnesses reported seeing a man shouting derogatory remarks towards the LGBTQ+ community and then setting fire to a Pride flag.
The accused, identified as 44-year-old John Smith, has been charged with mischief under $5,000 and causing a disturbance. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 12.
The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation from the local community, with many expressing their support for the LGBTQ+ community and denouncing any form of hate or discrimination.
In a statement, Peterborough Police Chief Scott Gilbert stated, “We will not tolerate any form of hate or discrimination in our community. We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and will take swift action against those who seek to spread hate and division.”
The incident also caught the attention of local politicians, with Mayor Diane Therrien tweeting, “This type of behaviour has no place in our city. We must continue to stand together against hate and discrimination.”
The Peterborough Pride organization also released a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened and disturbed by this act of hate towards our community. We will not be silenced and will continue to fight for equality and acceptance for all.”
This incident serves as a reminder that despite progress made towards LGBTQ+ rights, there is still much work to be done in creating a safe and inclusive society for all individuals.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Peterborough Police or Crime Stoppers.
