American flags intentionally flown upside down in Bakersfield on Fourth of July

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — This Fourth of July, American flags were intentionally flown upside down at Polo Park in the northwest side of Bakersfield.

An upside down flag is traditionally a sign of distress; and more recently, a display of the belief the 2020 presidential election was stolen.

Following former President Donald Trump’s felony conviction, supporters also displayed upside-down flags online.

Organizers said out of respect, they’re flying their tallest flag in the upright position. But after all, an inverted flag is often considered a form of far-right protest.

“Is there a right way?” asked KNZR conservative radio host Terry Maxwell. “There’s only a way, and the only way that you get people to understand and take notice is to do something out of the ordinary. This is out of the ordinary.”

17 News spoke with Maxwell about the event, as none of the organizers wanted to share their names on the record or go on camera. On Tuesday, Maxwell featured the main organizer anonymously on his show.

“An upside down flag is a sign of distress … We’re in trouble,” said participant Stacy Blackburn, who put up one of the more than 30 inverted flags.

“It shouldn’t matter if you’re Democrat or Republican, I mean who cares? Just do what’s best for the people of the United States of America.”

Blackburn added that the state of the nation is personal for him, as one of his friends died by suicide after losing everything during turbulent times.

“California is a big [concern] for me,” he said. “California is falling apart. They say everyone’s hiring, but you can’t get a job nowhere. They’re taking jobs. People are leaving California like crazy, not because they want to, because they have to.”

Organizers of the demonstration told 17 News about 50 to 60 people stopped by since 7 in the morning.

They said it’s not about elections or partisan politics — rather, that they’re “pissed off” and “disturbed” and are looking for a new commander in chief, Donald Trump.

Part of the event flyer read: “We, the people of Kern County, intend to make a statement that we are tired of seeing the weaponization of government agencies that politicians have at their disposal. The United States was not designed with two tiers of justice.”

Among other attendee concerns were the media, specifically cable news network CNN.

Each of these flags was tagged with a note from a family or individual explaining their concerns and why they want the flag to be displayed in this manner.

They were directed to “focus your note on what you have seen as a weaponization of government agencies.”

“We have no room to be passive anymore,” said Ken Zollinger, who got out of his car in support of the demonstration while driving by the venue. “We need to protect what is ours … this MAGA thing, it makes sense. What’s wrong with making our country great again?”

And when asked if it’s fair to call them MAGA Republicans, an organizer agreed.

Attendees also played music, including what’s known as Trump Song/MAGA Anthem: “THE TRUMP SONG Leave Me The Hell Alone.”

That specific song features lyrics like “news on the TV, nothing but negativity, just poison to the soul”/ “I can’t help but wonder where’s this country going” / “lunatics in politics, about enough to make you sick, it’s corruption to the bone” / and “Mr. Washington D.C., best thing you can do for me is leave me the hell alone.”

“We’ve got till Nov. 5 to make decisions, to know the candidates, know the issues, know who’s telling you the truth and who’s lying,” said Terry Maxwell.

Maxwell added that the issues raised in the demonstration are big concerns of Kern County’s conservative population as well.

Organizers said the flags will come down before dark, but supporters through the day, could stop by to put up their own upside down flags.

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