A Washington State mayor scolded an LQBTQ+ activist who was outraged that the Prisoner of Struggle/Lacking in Motion flag was allowed to fly over metropolis corridor, however the Delight Flag was not.
Newcastle Mayor Robert Clark was berated by activists at a public listening to Tuesday evening as residents of the town — positioned about 12 miles from Seattle — have been upset over the council’s determination final 12 months to cease the Delight flag from being flown at Metropolis Corridor throughout Delight Month.
Towards the tip of the three-hour-long session, an activist stood in entrance of the council and referred to as Clark “disgusting” and claimed he and a few of the elected metropolis officers have been making an attempt to “trick” folks out of believing the Delight flag can’t be flown by flying the POW/MIA flag.
“There are 82,000 Individuals registered as POWs and MIAs, however there’s 20 million minimal LGBTQ members,” the activist mentioned.
“I’ve talked earlier than concerning the hypocrisy, and I believe that your strategy to making an attempt to trick folks out of getting to fly the Delight flag in June by ensuring the POW-MIA flag was flown is absolutely disgusting.”
She then advised Clark and the council they need to be “ashamed” of the choice.
As she walked away from the rostrum, her feedback sparked a hearth inside Clark, who instantly referred to as her out for alluding that his metropolis was utilizing the flag as a “political stunt.”
“It’s not widespread that I reply to public remark, however I cannot sit right here and have any individual inform me that veterans are a political stunt. How dare you,” the mayor declared.
“This nation was based as a result of veterans misplaced their lives, a whole bunch of hundreds of individuals died for this nation so you would fly your Delight flag. Man, I’m pissed.”
Clark then advised the girl to by no means “disparage veterans” in his presence once more.
“These 82,000 individuals who by no means got here dwelling won’t ever have an opportunity to have a household or develop up whilst you can fly your pleasure flag, they sacrifice their lives everywhere in the world for America and for Freedom all over the world,” he mentioned.
The outraged mayor advised the activists that he “tolerated” her feedback in individual and on Fb up to now — claiming they’re “all the time on the assault” and “libelous” — as he delivered a stern message for the group.
“You in all probability can’t assist your self, however don’t ever disparage veterans in entrance of me,” Clark reiterated because it appeared she or somebody within the crowd tried responding.
“We’re performed,” the mayor firmly said earlier than shifting on to the following speaker.
The LGBTQ+ activist’s feedback come as Newcastle Metropolis Council voted final 12 months to not increase the Delight flag, KOMO reported.
That call was later flipped in a vote of 4-3 in favor of elevating the flag and prompted Clark to query what flag could possibly be raised subsequent if the Delight flag was allowed to fly over metropolis corridor.
“If we begin elevating flags, then we’ve obtained to lift all people’s. Would you like a Hamas flag flying over the Metropolis of Newcastle? Or a MAGA flag,” Clark advised KOMO in June.
“How a few Trump flag or an Antifa flag? We’re not going there people,” Clark said, “all people is equally represented by the American flag.”
In 2019, throughout President Trump’s first time period, he signed a bipartisan invoice — sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) — requiring the POW/MIA Flag to be displayed at any time when the US Flag is displayed.
The legislation successfully ensures that each flags are displayed concurrently and every day at federal areas already designated underneath current legislation, together with the White Home.
The black flag, with a silhouette of a prisoner of conflict together with his head down standing earlier than a guard tower and barbed wire, was designed by Newt Heisley in 1971 for the spouse of Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Hoff — whose husband was by no means discovered after he was listed as lacking in motion in the course of the Vietnam Struggle.
The POW/MIA flag is an emblem of the sacrifices made by those that have been captured as prisoners of conflict or stay unaccounted for in overseas conflicts and serves as a reminder of the consideration, bravery, and resilience US servicemembers have whereas defending freedom.
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