rights
Suspects arrested for burning school's Pride flag as hate crimes skyrocket
By Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation
· June 19, 2026
· 3 min read
Two Ontario teens have been charged with mischief after allegedly tearing down a secondary school flag and setting it on fire. The act, which is being investigated as a hate crime, took place in the city of Markham around 11 pm on June 8. York Regional Police have identified Sepehr Abadar and Mahan
Key takeaway York Regional Police have identified Sepehr Abadar and Mahan Mohammad Radmard, both 18, as the alleged perpetrators.
Why this matters
The alleged burning of a school's Pride flag in Markham, Ontario, is part of a disturbing trend of rising hate crimes in the region. With hate crimes more than doubling in Ontario between 2020 and 2024, and 14% of them motivated by sexual orientation, this incident highlights the growing threat to LGBTQ+ communities. The fact that two other acts of Pride-related vandalism occurred around the same time at another Ontario school suggests a coordinated effort to target symbols of LGBTQ+ identity. The escalation of these incidents over the years, as noted by a Norwich resident, underscores the need for increased vigilance and support for LGBTQ+ individuals. As national resources like the Trevor Project crisis line and the National LGBTQ Task Force provide crucial support, it is essential for local communities to report hate crimes and work together to prevent such incidents.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Two Ontario teens have been charged with mischief after allegedly tearing down a secondary school flag and setting it on fire. The act, which is being investigated as a hate crime, took place in the city of Markham around 11 pm on June 8. York Regional Police have identified Sepehr Abadar and Mahan
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Molly Sprayregen at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .