The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
UNDER DEBATE
Officials clash with antiracism group about waving the ‘Thin Blue Line’ flag
MADISON COUNTY, N.Y. » Symbols, and their meanings, may change over time. That’s what’s currently under debate in Madison County as officials and residents argue the implications of waving the “Thin Blue Line” flag.
“The Thin Blue Line” flag, a black-and-white American flag with a single stripe colored in blue, is often used to show support for law enforcement, or “back the blue.”
For some, however, the flag is a symbol of opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement, which gained much traction over the summer of 2020 during historic protests against police brutality.
Currently, Madison County and other municipalities are undergoing various police reform initiatives, enacted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order, that must be completed by April 1, 2021, in order to be eligible for state funding. The police reform order was a direct response to ongoing public outcry.
The controversy of “The Thin Blue Line Flag,” currently flying high at the county jail, was first emphasized during the police brutality crisis, but now, other events have fanned the flames.
On Jan. 6, 2021, a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Many of the symbols dawned by the rioters are highly controversial, if not hateful, with many associated with white supremacy.
“The Thin Blue Line” flag was one of many among the crowd. The Hamilton Area Anti-racism Coalition (HAARC) believes this act has taken the controversy of the flag too far, and it should therefore be removed from any county government buildings.
In a letter sent to the
County Board of Supervisors dated Jan. 13, 2021, John Bailey, of HAARC, wrote, “No matter what this flag originally represented, it is now and will forever be part of one of the worst days in our country’s history! This flag is now a symbol of anarchy, racism, and insurrection.”
The American flag was also “disrespectfully” flown by the Capitol terrorists, Bailey admitted, but “that symbol clearly does not and should not divide us,” he stated. “It represents the higher ideals of our freedom and liberties and not sedition and lawlessness … The Thin Blue line flag has become a symbol of division!”
The letter continued, “I suggest that the Board of Supervisors immediately instruct the Madison County
Sheriff to remove this symbol of division from the Madison County Jail and any other building in their jurisdiction. It has no place on any public building of Madison County and for that matter, any in these United States.”
Responding to the group’s request, Madison County Chairman of the Board John Becker released a statement on Jan. 19, 2021.
The statement opened, “While we certainly appreciate the diversity of opinion, something our great country was founded on, we at Madison County take offense to HAARC’S (Hamilton Area Anti-racism Coalition) demand to remove the Thin Blue Line flag from our County complexes.”
Becker stated the county supports its men and women in uniform who protect and serve, whatever form that may take, whether it be responding to a car accident or a neighbor dispute, investigating drug activity, preforming a wellness check, or assisting new parents with properly installing a car seat.
Becker continued, “These brave men and women put their lives on the line every day for us. We fly this flag to show our support for them.”
Becker said the flag began to fly at the county complex after gangs in Chicago put a $10,000 bounty on police, burnt buildings, and threw bricks and ice at law enforcement. When exactly these events occurred he did not say, nor when the flag was officially flown by the county.
The tone of Becker’s letter was summarized in the following sentence, “Enough is enough.”
Madison County is one of the best counties to live in NYS, he continued, and the demand from HAARC is “insulting to the brave men and women throughout our County who do their jobs every day.”
He stood firmly that the flag portrays support for law enforcement. “It is time to use our symbols properly and not let a few determine the misrepresentation of them. We here in Madison County support our law enforcement, our fire departments, our 911 operators, our EMS, our soldiers, and more. We will gladly fly their flags as well to show that support.”
Responding to the county’s stance against HAARC’S request, the organization clarified in a letter on Jan. 26, 2021, that their position was not meant to be against law enforcement, but rather against what they believe is a hateful symbol.
“... our opposition to the ‘thin blue line’ flag does not equal disparaging Madison County law enforcement. We absolutely recognize the difficult, and sometimes dangerous, jobs they do every day. We find it interesting that you inferred disparagement from our concern about the ‘thin blue line’ flag, namely that it is divisive and associated with white supremacy,” HAARC members wrote.
They continued, “It is precisely because we hold the offices of government and law enforcement in high regard and because we have such high expectations of these offices, that we see no place for this symbol anywhere on public property.”
The group then questioned the validity of the flag’s placement on county property in the first place, claiming it is an “unofficial” flag that violates the US Flag Code due to its misrepresentation of the US Flag. The group asked what was the
process of hanging it, and who decided?
HAARC contested that removing a “divisive,” “hostile” and, “reprehensible” flag such as this from public property would actually be a great act of unification. The American flag, they stated, is the flag that should bring the community together.
Further, public buildings are owned by its citizens, and therefore the symbols it waves should be representative for all, and certainly not threatening to some, HAARC argued.
“Just as important, we are also concerned that an elected official would ‘take offense’ to community participation in government,” the group continued. Listening to and exploring community concerns is part of the democratic process, they said, and the organization’s civic participation should be encouraged, not diminished, they argued.
This isn’t the first time the anti-racism coalition has brought up an issue with the controversial flag. The coalition first questioned the county’s waving of the flag in its survey sent out to community members, whose responses were shared with the Madison County Police Reform Committee on Oct.
23, 2020.
Later, HAARC criticized Sheriff Todd Hood’s response to a community member claiming the flag is “a sign of racism and hate.”
Hood stated in an online FAQ document, “The Blue Line Flag is not a sign of racism and hate. It represents support for the men and women of law enforcement across the United States of America who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. Our agency is comprised of different races that all have the same mission: to serve as an example for others and follow the oath of our profession with honor, integrity, and pride.”
Becker concluded at the end of his letter that, “I, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, have heard from the Board and it is very clear that the flag stays. If HAARC believes that they are right on this issue, then it can be settled in the Court of law, where rash, law-abiding citizens of our great Country settle their disputes.”
The group said it’s not right for an elected official to suggest their electorates go to court to be heard.
HAARC concluded their response by again asking the same: “Madison County has a proud history of being one of the centers of the abolition movement of the 19th century. We all, individuals and government officials, have the opportunity to continue that tradition of racial justice. We ask you again to remove the ‘thin blue line’ flag from our county offices.
“HAARC is committed to supporting Madison County becoming a better, more just, community for all of its residents. We ask that the Madison County Board of Supervisors embrace this goal too.” The letter was signed by HAARC volunteers Julie Carlson, Cris Amann, John Bailey, Lesley Chapman, Elizabeth Crofut, and Xena Becker.
A community member created an online petition on Jan. 18, titled “Remove the Thin Blue Line From Madison County Offices.” It has so far gotten 150 signatures.
Do you have an opinion to share about the “Thin Blue Line Flag?” Send us your thoughts to newsroom@oneidadispatch.com in a Letter to the Editor. Letters should be 500 words or less and include your name and place of residence. Letters to the Editor are published at the editor’s discretion.