University's Pride Flag Burned In 'Appalling Act Of Hate': School

ELLENSBURG, WA — A Central Washington University student is accused of burning the school's LGBTQ+ Pride flag and posting the video of the incident to social media. The student has been arrested, according to police.

CWU President Jim Wohlpart and Provost Michelle DenBeste issued a joint statement Thursday decrying the incident as an "appalling act of hate against the LGBTQ+ community."

"We are greatly disturbed that our CWU LGBTQ+ community had to endure this violation of their identity; this act diminished all of us," the statement reads. "This is especially true during Pride month when many LGBTQ+ CWU students, faculty and staff celebrate and memorialize their communities and commemorate the Stonewall Riots. We will not tolerate these types of actions that reduce the identity of others, make them feel unwelcome, and decrease their sense of safety and belonging."

The university says a new Pride flag has been installed. The school is also offering counseling to any students who have been affected by the incident, and is planning an event where students and staff can come together to heal.

"We understand that no action we can take will erase the trauma of this event," said Wohlpart and DenBeste. "While we can and we do commit to addressing this issue and others in ways that protects LGBTQ+ Wildcats, we must do more to ensure that all members of our LGBTQ+ community feel welcomed, celebrated and supported."

Meanwhile, a petition has begun circulating online calling for the student's expulsion. As of Friday morning, the petition had gathered more than 1,900 signatures.

"Burning of the Pride flag has led to court convictions such as arson in the third degree as well as harassment in the third degree due to it being a hate crime," the petition reads. "While I am not asking for this to be pursued in a court of law, I am asking that there are academic consequences for this action, be it removal of scholarship money, suspension, or expulsion. This is a heinous act and there must be consequences for his actions if this school wants to promote a safe environment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity."