![burning gay flag. burning gay flag.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.3633355.1467040851!/fileImage/httpImage/pride-flag.jpg)
Snyder said he had information coming in about the incident as early as Oct. 21 and discussed the situation with Campus Safety Director Ken Snyder. Highers and the roommate went to Campus Safety on Oct. Highers was referring to an incident that occurred three years ago when the Albion College rock on the quad was tarred during the Coming Out Week that year. “I was incredibly upset when I heard about this event-many of the LGBTQ (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Questioning) juniors had heard about the tarring incident that happened before I came here, but I never thought I would have to deal with something like this on campus,” Highers said. “This was such a public act of hate with such contempt for our community.” Andy Leyder, Linden first-year,went to his student mentor, Eric Highers, Monroe junior, for help in deciding whether to go to campus safety to discuss the incident. The yearly event, held on college campuses throughout the country, was celebrated at Albion with a parade and speeches.įollowing the incident, the roommate of one of the students decided he needed to do something. The event supports people who decide to declare their sexual orientation publicly. 18 behind Wesley Hall following events to celebrate Coming Out Week. However, he described the flag as being bigger than a piece of paper and he stated it was almost completely burned. The student who burned the flag declined to comment on his reasoning.
![burning gay flag. burning gay flag.](https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/5325954_060119-wabc-harlem-pride-flags-burned-img.jpg)
She did not return comment by publication. Sally Walker, VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, was contacted multiple times by the Pleiad to comment. The Muskegon first-year said in his own opinion that the students involved were not punished because “the college doesn’t condone this action, and they know people will be upset but it wasn’t public, it wasn’t targeting one person and no one saw it happen.” He requested anonymity for fear of safety and reputation. The student involved who kept the flag described the reasoning behind the college’s decision not to punish the students. She requested anonymity due to concerns about her reputation. “I am deeply sorry that I didn’t stop the incident from occurring in the first place, sorry to anyone who was affected by it,” said a Rochester first-year student who was present for the flag burning. Two of the three students involved commented on the situation following the decision not to punish them. He cited the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as his reason for not explaining the matter further. Ken Snyder, director of campus safety, declined to comment on the situation. 18 that they will receive no punishment for burning the flag, said the students involved. “Waterford is a very warm inclusive place, it’s a great place to be, it’s a great place to live.Albion College’s campus safety officials have notified three students involved in burning a gay pride flag on Oct. Mayor of Waterford Damien Geoghegan said it was crucial that the flags be flown again. It’s important for us to support all members of our community no matter what their background or whatever their views on the world might be.” “For us one of our biggest months of the year, coming together as a community to support everybody. Inspector Gavin Hegarty, from Waterford Garda station, said it was important for gardaí to show their support for the event. “We really think of the LGBT people across Waterford who wouldn’t be able to stand here and be proud and we want this to be a really clear message that LGBT people are part of communities in Waterford.”
![burning gay flag. burning gay flag.](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2020/08/19/PMJS/4301f4fd-2265-4872-8bc0-4a57b5d672e4-Flag_and_signs_before_8-16_incident_at_Neuberger-Thelen_residence.jpg)
“Being able to be visible in the face of hate is a really important thing to do because we get knocked down but we stand back up,” said Debbie O’Rourke, from the Pride of the Déise group. The incident came at the end of Waterford’s Pride of the Déise weekend for the LGBTQ+ community.Ī number of people including activists, politicians and gardaí gathered on Wednesday for the re-raising of Pride flags outside Waterford City and County Council’s buildings. Gardaí said the man has been charged with a count of criminal damage and is due to appear at Waterford District Court on July 6th.Ī number of Pride flags were taken down and set alight at the Mall in Waterford city in the early hours of last Monday. A man in his 40s has been arrested in connection with the burning of Pride flags in Waterford city.