UPDATE: Flag Pole Destroyed at Emily Stowe PS

Monday, 8 June 2026 06:40

Police say someone cut down the flag pole at Emily Stowe Public School and removed the Pride flag.

UPDATE (9:00 a.m.) - Police have confirmed that someone cut down the metal flag pole at Emily Stowe Public School in Norwich.

The Oxford OPP first heard about this yesterday. Police say the flag pole was cut down at around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday and two people removed the new flag and took off towards Stover Street.

The suspects are described as white men in their late teens or early 20s with thin builds. One was wearing a light coloured shirt with blue shorts and dark boots, while the other was wearing a light coloured hat with a black t-shirt and blue pants.

Anyone with information or surveillance/dash cam footage that can assist in this investigation should call the Oxford OPP at 1-888-310-1122. You can also submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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NORWICH - Oxford County Pride is addressing what appears to be another case of vandalism in Norwich.

Someone removed the Pride flag from the flag pole outside Emily Stowe Public School last week and burned it. You can read more about that incident online here.

In a statement on Facebook yesterday evening, Oxford County Pride said the school replaced the flag but someone decided to "physically destroy" the flag pole so it can't fly again. Oxford Pride says this is a deliberate, coordinated campaign targeting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It also said all youth deserve to feel safe at school and everyone deserves to feel seen.

Oxford Pride is encouraging everyone to encourage their local municipal council to take a stand, and sent letters to Oxford MP Arpan Khanna and MPP Ernie Hardeman.

The Oxford OPP is encouraging anyone with information to come forward, adding even the smallest pieces of information can point officers in the right direction. You can call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or you can submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

No further details have been released at this time and you can read the full statement from Oxford County Pride below: