Milwaukee alderman to reignite push for People's Flag to become official city flag

A Milwaukee alderman is looking to officially adopt a new city flag — one that has been unofficially flying for a number of years now.

Commonly known as the People's Flag of Milwaukee, the depiction of the sun rising over Lake Michigan has been organically adopted across the community, Ald. Peter Burgelis said in a statement.

The flag even flew behind former Mayor Tom Barrett during his 2020 State of the City Address.

But it isn't the city's official flag. Burgelis said he wants to change that.

"The design has, in my view, intrinsic beauty and timeless meaning that represents the core of Milwaukee — where we came from — three founding towns, what we are — comprised of three rivers, and where we want to be — dawn rising over Lake Michigan for the growth and prosperity of our city, its residents, and businesses. This flag reminds us of what has drawn human beings to the ‘Good Land’ for thousands of years — Lake Michigan’s beauty and bounty," he said in the statement.

Burgelis said Tuesday he would be introducing legislation to adopt the design by Robert Lenz, officially titled "Sunrise Over the Lake," as of Jan. 31.

The legislation would begin a process in which residents would be able to provide input over the course of the summer, according to the statement. The intent is to bring the file back to the council in September.

Lenz's flag won a 2016 contest and was followed by years of debate at City Hall.

The current city flag was designed in the 1950s and features images that include the old County Stadium, a stalk of wheat and a ship.

Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com.