‘Sends a clear message’: Watertown bans public flag raisings

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) — The City of Watertown will no longer have public flag raisings.

Watertown City Council has issued a new policy regarding flags at City Hall. On May 6, the City Council voted to ban all public flag raisings outside the American, state, POW-MIA and Tree City USA flags.

Watertown Mayor Sarah Compo-Pierce and all city council members, except Cliff Olney, supported the new policy. Olney protested the ban as he said it disregarded many community members.

“Many years have gone by where we’ve raised these flags in support of different groups,” Olney expressed. “It’s the city’s right to advocate for and to present to the public our inclusiveness and our belief in backing that inclusiveness for the different minority groups that we have in the city.”

Many community groups attended the city council meeting on May 6 to protest the policy.

Flags representing other nations, Juneteenth and the LGBTQ+ community are now prohibited. This includes the Jewish flag which was raised for the last time on May 14.

Watertown’s flag policy was issued partially due to fears of protests and violence amid ongoing global tensions, Mayor Compo-Pierce explained in the city council meeting.

However, Olney said this ban will only harm the city.

“It sends a clear message that we do not embrace, nor are we going to publicly endorse diversity,” he stated. “And if you want to do it at your own home, of course, you’re welcome to do that. And we always have been. That’s the right that every citizen has. But for the city to back away from their, I believe, responsibility, to embrace and acknowledge these different groups publicly, I think is unfortunate.”

Following the ban, Watertown will move forward with the final two previously scheduled flag raisings. These include Juneteenth and Watertown Pride in June.

ABC50 did reach out to the Watertown Mayor’s office and is awaiting a response.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.