Elementary School Responds To Pride Flag Burning By Installing New, Larger Flag

North Hollywood Police are investigating a possible hate crime at Saticoy Elementary School after an LGBTQ flag was burned last week.

Before it was burned, the small flag was displayed in a planter outside of a classroom at Saticoy Elementary School. The Los Angeles Police Department says it took a report last week and launched a hate crime vandalism investigation.

The incident comes just days before Pride Month is set to kick off.

Some parents are also planning to keep their kids home on Friday as the school will be hosting an assembly for Pride Month, reports NBC Los Angeles.

A flyer encouraging parents to keep their home was posted on a social media account named, “@Saticoyelementaryparents.” The post encouraged parents to “Protest against Pride Day assembly, an inappropriate topic for our kids!”

“The social media account was created earlier this month after parents saw a rainbow parade assembly noted on the school calendar,” reports NBC. “The account has received some backlash from parents who support the school and its decisions to hold the pride events.”

In response to the flag burning, a new larger flag is now on display outside the classroom.

Parent Erica Denesesn says she supports the teacher that’s part of the LGBTQ community. “It’s how the world is today and if you shield them from it, then it’s just going to make a bigger impact later… and it might be kinda sideways. I think it’s really great to expose them and just talk about everybody.”

In a statement to ABC7, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Unified School District said, in part: “As part of our engagement with school communities, our schools regularly discuss the diversity of the families that we serve and the importance of inclusion. This remains an active discussion with our school communities and we remain committed to continuing to engage with families about this important topic. Families are always encouraged to discuss important topics with their children and families may also contact their schools for more information about any school programs or activities.”