Students at the primary school in Broek op Langedijk have no understanding of the destruction of their rainbow flag. Yesterday morning the flag was found broken, and there was also a sign with a Bible text in front of the door. Today the mayor brought a new flag to the school ‘because it is unacceptable that this is happening’.
No one at the Het Mozaïek child center understands why their flag has been destroyed. The children call the sign with the Bible text – ‘do not participate in the senseless practices that belong to darkness’ – that was placed by the destroyers ‘not so nice’.
“The flag was there at the request of the children,” explains school director Helene de Vries. “We celebrate the Week of Respect. The children value it: that everyone can be themselves and feel safe here.”
Two fathers
“I also have two fathers who are married to each other,” says one of the students. “That also makes me sad that this happened.” And other students find it particularly unpleasant. “Why? Maybe because you don’t agree, but don’t do this.”
Yesterday morning, an employee discovered the flag and sign. “A number of children from preschool care also saw it, unfortunately,” says De Vries. “What happened here does not fit with what we teach the children: respect for each other and other people’s things.”
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It is still unknown who is behind the destruction and the Biblical sign. Broek op Langedijk and the surrounding area is known as ‘Christian’, but mayor Maarten Poorter does not dare to get his fingers dirty. “This is a Christian school, and you see how cheerfully the children celebrate the raising of the new flag together, and celebrate the ‘difference’.”
The school management has reported the vandalism and the police are investigating the matter. “We conduct research in the neighborhood and online. We also ask people with tips or information to report this to us.”
Below is the torn flag and the sign in question.